HISTORY 

of  the 

Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


^^Kn 


GIFT  OF 


THE  HISTORY  OF 

ALPHA  CHI  OMEGA 
FRATERNITY 

(1885-1916) 


BY 

FLORENCK  A.  ARMSTRONG 
Ph.K.  (Simpsox),  A.m.  (Radcliffe) 

Editor  First  Edition 
Editor  The  Lyre 


WITH  MAPS  AND  ILLUSTRATIONS 


The  History  of  Alpha   Chi  Omega   Fra/eniity 

By  Mabel  Harriet  Siller 

All  rights  reserved 

igi7 


U  3  1 A- 


Copyright  1917  by 
Florence  A.  Armstrong 


To 

Alta   Alh-n   Loud 

ami  to  the  Fratvrnity 

This  I'oiiuue  is  Dedicated 

l>\   the  Author 


368283 


THE  HISTORY  OF 
ALPHA  CHI  OMEGA  FRATERNITY 

(1885-1916) 

CONTENTS 

Chapter 

1  Educational  and  Fraternity  Conditions  at  the  Time  of  the  Founding  of 

Alpha  Chi  Omega  (1885). 

2  Organization  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

3  Early  Years. 

4  Expansion  into  State  Universities  as  a  General  Fraternity  with  Musical 

Traditions. 

5  Present  Scope. 

6  Material  Possessions. 

7  Colleges  in  which  Alpha  Chi  Omega  has  Chapters. 

8  The  Alumnae  Association. 

9  Alumnae  Chapters. 

10  Alumnae  Clubs. 

1 1  Government. 

12  National  Conventions. 

13  National  Council   Meetings. 

14  Insignia  and  Heraldry. 

15  The  Lyre. 

16  The  Heraeum,  the  Argolid,  and  the  Songbook. 

17  The  History. 

18  The  Daily  Convention  Transcript,  the  Directorv.  and  the  Calendar. 

19  Official  Forms  and  Supplie.s. 

20  Endowment  and  Scholarship   Funds. 

21  Chapter-house  Ownership. 

22  The  Macdowell  Colony  Studio. 

23  Influence  of  Grecian  Culture  upon  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

24  Traditions  of  the  Fraternitv. 

25  The  Panhellenic  Movement. 

26  Prominent  Members. 

27  The  Contribution  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  to  American  Fife. 
Appendix 

Directory  of  National  Officers. 
Chronological  History  of  the  Fraternity. 


PREFACE 

It  has  been  the  aim  of  this  volume  to  ij,ive  mainly  a  picture  of  the  Frater- 
nity as  she  exists  today  ;  and  to  reveal  her  impulse,  her  evolution,  and  her 
genius,  according  to  the  records. 

I  should  like  to  acknowledge  gratefully  the  generous  help  derived  from 
many  members  of  Alpha  C"hi  Omega.  The  history  committees  of  the  chapters, 
appointed  at  my  request,  contributed  invaluable  material.  To  them  we  are 
indebted  for  recent  local  statistics,  as  well  as  in  many  cases,  for  fresh 
material  of  the  earlier  days.  From  them,  and  from  the  authorities  of  the 
colleges  also,  came  the  historical  data  of  the  educational  institutions  where 
the  Fraternity  is  rejiresented.  The  sketches  of  the  celebrated  honorary  sisters 
were  based  upon  a  series  of  articles  written  for  Thr  Lyre  by  Winifred  Byrd, 
Zeta  ;  the  chai)ter  on  official  suppl'es  was  largely  written  by  Kathryn  Morgan, 
Xi,  Keeper  of  Supplies ;  the  section  on  mythology  was  compiled  by  Ina 
Weyrauch,  Lambda ;  while  the  story  of  altruistic  work  was  done  by  Gladys 
Livingston  Graff,  Zeta,  who,  moreover,  carried  a  large  share  of  the  corre- 
spondence relating  to  prominent  members.  The  index  was  made  by  Myra 
H.  Jones.  To  the  National  Alumnae  Editor,  Edna  Boicourt,  Zeta,  I  am 
indebted  for  assistance  in  correspondence,  and  for  the  delightful  but  onerous 
task  of  listing  and  mounting  the  photographs  of  the  children  of  members. 
Lucile  Lippett,  Delta,  gave  extended  and  valuable  aid  in  numberless 
details;  among  other  services,  she  prepared  for  publication  the  results  of  my 
research  regarding  the  national  conventions.  Assistance  in  the  reading  of 
proof  Avas  given  by  Mary-Emma  Griffith,  bv  Mablc  Siller  Nafis,  and  by 
Alta  Allen  Loud. 

To  Mrs.  Loud  I  would  express  especial  thanks,  for  advice  and  coo^jeration 
at  every  step  of  the  way.  No  detail  was  too  slight,  no  recjuest  too  large, 
for  her  careful  and  illuminating  comment. 

Not  only  to  the  meml)ers  mentioned  above  is  gratitude  due.  To  Mrs. 
Macdowell  who  welcomed  the  author  to  the  artists'  colony,  and  placed  at  her 
disposal  the  Star  Studio,  I  wish  to  give  sincere  thanks.  And  to  two  professors 
of  Harvard  University,  whose  instruction  has  l)een  oi  the  utmost  helpfulness, 
I  proffer  my  respectful  appreciation ;  to  Chester  Noyes  Greenough,  Professor 
of  English,  whose  course  in  American  Literature  was  of  great  value ;  and 
to  Frederick  Jackson  Turner,  Professor  of  the  Historv  of  the  American  West, 
whose  grasp  and  power  added  to  my  understanding  and  enthusiasm  in 
research. 

In  this  speaking  of  my  gratitude,  I  trust  that  I  have  succeeded  in  making 
plain  the  wide  cooperation  which  has  been  given  in  the  search  for  facts,  and  in 
the  composition,  of  the  History  of  Al f^ha  Chi  Omega.  As  you  proceed,  kind 
reader,  you  will  see  how  much  aid  I  ha\'e  received  from  Dean  Howe  and  the 
founders,  and  from  the  first  edition  of  the  History.  Miss  Helen  Campbell 
of  Radcliffe  College,  assisted  me,  also,  in  making  maps  and  charts.  The 
volume  is  such   a   complex   one   that   without   numl)erless   helpers,    I    should 


have  found  the  composition  impossible  in  the  few  months  allotted  to  me. 
We  were  able,  however,  by  herculean  efforts,  to  send  the  manuscript  to  the 
publisher  last  October.  Since  that  time  the  volume  which  was  to  appear  in 
November  has  faced  sad  delays :  a  six-weeks'  delay  by  the  American  Express 
Company,  and  delays  on  the  part  of  the  publisher.  We  regret  these  beyond 
words.     But  we  hope  that  you  will  find  the  book  readable  and  useful. 

Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  Florence  A.  Armstrong. 

February  ig,  1917. 


Ai.TA  Allen  Loud 

General    Secretary,    1897-1898 
National    President,    1907-1910;    1912-1917 


CHAPTER  I 

EDUCATIONAL  AND  FRATERNITY  CONDITIONS  AT  THE 
TIME  OF  THE  FOUNDING  OF  ALPHA  CHI  OMEGA,  1885 

There  were  five  national  (ireek-letter  fraternities  for  women  in  1885. 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  became  the  sixth.  In  the  understanding  of  our  own  his- 
tory some  information  of  the  college  and  fraternity  world  of  that  time  may  be 
illuminating.  A  new  era  was  beginning  in  the  education  of  womankind. 
"Interest  in  provision  for  the  superior  instruction  of  women  shows  no  abate- 
ment," reports  the  American  Commissioner  of  Education,  in  1884-5,  after 
investigation  of  conditions  in  the  thirty-eight  states  of  the  Union,  "although 
the  vear  has  not  been  characterized  by  any  special  action  in  reference  to  the 
subject.  The  importance  of  full  provision  for  this  work  is  indeed  so  fully 
recognized  that  the  discussions  which  it  excites  no  longer  turn  on  that  ques- 
tion, but  on  those  which  pertain  to  it  as  a  part  of  superior  education  in 
general."  The  movement  toward  woman's  higher  education  was  propelled 
throughout  the  two  decades  just  passed,  by  the  need  for  women  to  take  the 
places  of  the  soldier-pedagogues  of  the  Civil  War.  The  East  had  established 
separate  institutions  for  the  training  of  women,  and  the  standard*  of  scholar- 
ship had  not  been  injured.  "It  is  my  hope,"  Mathew  Vassar  had  said,  "to  be 
the  instrument,  in  the  hands  of  Providence,  of  founding  and  perpetuating  an 
institution  which  shall  accomplish  for  young  women  what  our  colleges  are 
accomplishing  for  young  men."  Vassar  College  was  opened  in  1855  ;  a 
decade  later  Smith  College  was  opened;  Wellesley  was  established  in  1870 
(the  date  on  which  the  first  national  (ireek-letter  fraternity  for  women  was 
founded).  The  state  of  Massacliusetts  granted  to  Wellesley  in  1877  the 
authority  to  give  degrees. 

Doubt  concerning  woman's  mental  capacitv  had  been  allayed.  Long 
treatises,  however,  inquired  into  the  physical  limitations  of  the  feminine  con- 
stitution. The  Commissioner  of  Education  pointed  triumphantly  to  cases  in 
Europe  where  women  had  endured  collegiate  labor  with  impunitv.  Some 
institutions  had  introduced  physical  exercises  for  women,  and  these  he  recom- 
mended to  all  colleges.  The  era  of  experimentation  was  drawing  to  its  close. 
The  standard  of  women's  colleges  was  improving  steadily.  In  1885  Bryn 
Mawr  was  founded,  and  has  always  had  a  high  standard.  There  had  been 
much  change  already  since  a  youth  had  ventured  his  opinion  in  1872  to  Alice 
Freeman  that  "girls'  colleges  were  a  contrivance  for  enabling  women  to  pre- 
tend that  they  had  the  same  education  as  men." 

In  the  West  women's  education  more  nearly  kept  pace  with  that  of  their 
l)rothers.  Accepting  the  advice  of  Horace  Mann  manv  western  states  made 
their  state  universities  serve  both  their  bovs  and  their  girls.  The  Universities 
of  Iowa  (1847).  Kan.sas  (1866).  Minnesota  (1868).  and  Nebraska  (1871) 
were  established  for  both  sexes.  About  the  same  time  Indiana  (1868),  Michi- 
gan   (1870),    Illinois    (1870),    California    (1870).    Missouri    (1870),    Ohio 


TiiK   History  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraiernity 


(1873).  and  Wisconsin  (1874)  opened  their  doors  to  women.  One  of  these 
western  uniYersities  was  destined  to  exert  a  moulding  influence  upon  the 
education  of  women  in  the  older  East.  Alice  Freeman  went  as  a  pioneer 
woman  student  to  the  UniYcrsity  of  Michigan,  and  there  receiYed  her  degree. 
As  president  of  Wellesley  College  (1881-1887)  she  "developed  and  dignified 
its  departments  *  *  systematized  inspection,  and  drew  up  a  certificate 
(for  admission  from  certain  accredited  schools),  and  then  conducted 
examinations  in  Wellesley  courses  in  such  a  way  that  there  was  a 
general  rise  in  standards.  A  new  atmosphere  of  exactitude,  work,  and  insis- 
tence on  what  a  college  should  mean,  succeeding  a  sort  of  boarding-school 
looseness."  She  assisted  in  the  organization  of  sixteen  preparatory  schools  in 
many  of  which  Wellesley  graduates  became  teachers. 

The  systematization  given  W^ellesley  and  the  boarding-schools  feeding  it 
was  needed  in  most  of  the  many  academies,  female  seminaries,  and  female 
colleges  in  the  country.  In  the  West  the  colleges  themselves  undertook  to 
supply  the  deficiencies  of  the  preparatory  education  of  their  students  by 
giving  preparatory  courses.  The  country  west  of  Missouri  was  still  sparsely 
settled,  and  consequently  transportation  in  the  Middle  West  had  improved 
but  slowly.  Most  western  young  people  had  been  educated,  therefore,  near 
their  homes.  Numberless  academies,  seminaries,  and  colleges  had  sprung  up 
for  this  purpose.  With  the  great  improvement  of  railroad  facilities,  however 
(1885-1890),  many  students  entered  the  state  universities.  These  have 
grown  with  marvellous  rapidity  in  the  past  two  decades. 

After  the  pioneer  period  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  the  educational 
development  of  the  western  states  is  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  phenomena 
in  history.  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  founded  at  the  psychological  moment. 
She  was  spared  struggling  years  of  weakness,  disfavor,  and  uncertainty  in  the 
education  of  women  which  she  would  have  encountered  two  decades  before. 
And  she  entered  the  educational  world  at  the  exact  time  when  coeducation 
was  a  rising  tide. 

It  was  in  the  colleges  admitting  both  men  and  women  that  the  woman's 
fraternity,  logically,  had  its  rise.  In  De  Pauw,  where  the  first  national 
Greek-letter  fraternity  for  women  had  been  established  fifteen  years  earlier, 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  founded.  The  following  table  illustrates  the  early 
location  of  first  chapters  by  the  national  Greek-letter  organizations  prior  to 
1885. 

National  Grcck-leftcr  fraternities  for  wonien  existing  at  the  time  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  uvis  founded,  i88^. 


Name 

When 
Founded 

Where   Founded 

Founded  Sec- 
ond Chapter 

Number  of 
Chapters 

A  $ 

1872 

Svracuse 

1881 

2 

A  r 

1872 

Univ.  of  Mississippi 

1881 

2 

r  ^  B 

1874 

Svracuse 

1882 

3 

K  A  0 

1870 

Asbury 
(De   Pauw) 

1870 

14 

K  K  r 

1870 

Monmouth 

1871 

21 

Educaiionai.  anm)  Fra  ikrm  I  V  Condi  I  IONS  3 

In  the  coeducational  universities  the  fraternities  had  loni;  heen  the  most 
important  feature  in  the  social  life  of  the  men.  These  organizations  had 
begun  a  century  before  as  literary  orders,  like  the  "Speaking  Club"  at  Har- 
vard for  debating  purj)oses.  Important  libraries  were  collected  by  them,  and 
they  were  thought  of  great  intellectual  value.  But  by  the  time  that  women's 
fraternities  were  founded  the  term  "literary"  was  long  ago  outgrown.  The 
development  of  the  curricula  of  the  universities  themselves  had  rendered 
unnecessary  pedagogical  functions  in  the  group  itself.  The  fraternity  had 
become  social  in  its  function  providing  comfortable  living  quarters  for  its 
members  in  congenial  company.  The  old  phraseology  is  slowly  giving  way 
among  both  men's  and  women's  fraternities.  The  term  "general"  is  sup])lant- 
ing  the  confusing  and  incongruous  term,   "literary." 

Some  of  the  earlier  generation  still  cling,  however,  to  the  old  phrase.  The 
remarkal)le  development  and  scope  of  the  modern  university,  in  response  to 
the  needs  of  modern  life,  have  broadened  the  fraternitv  un'il  a  chajjter 
includes  students  of  all  undergraduate  departments  on  ecjual  footing,  and 
have  rendered  impossible  the  appropriate  use  of  any  phrase  other  than 
general  in  their  designation.  To  the  present-day  student  the  term  "literary 
society"  connotes  a  meaning  far  diliferent  from  a  twentieth  century  fraternitv 
chapter. 

The  women's  fraternities  were  modeled  after  the  existing  men's  frater- 
nities, and  were  formed  to  secure  a  social  position  for  the  women  students  in 
university  life.  By  the  time  Alpha  Chi  ( )mega  was  organized,  this  purpose 
had  broadened  into  a  desire  for  mutual  improvement,  for  social  experience 
through  congenial  companionship,  and  in  the  case  of  our  Fraternity,  for  the 
advancement  of  an  art.  The  modern  fraternity  has  "that  close  relationship, 
that  clannish  spirit  and  mutual  helpfulness,  that  high  regard  for  morality, 
which  characterize  an  old  and  respected  family,  proud  of  its  history,  and 
anxious  that  no  member  shall  fall  below  the  standards." 

The  colleges  into  which  women's  fraternities,  including  2  K  (  1874),  I.  C. 
(n  B  $,  1888),  Philomathean  ( 4>  M,  1904),  and  Adelphean  (A  A  II,  1906), 
had  entered  in  1885  were  the  following  forty-four  institutions. 

Colby    College,    Waterville,    Me.,    2  K.                 Cornell    University,  A   l\   K   A   O,   K    K    P. 

(2nd  ch.    1904)  University  of  Colorado,  A   I",   I.  C. 

Syracuse,  A  4>,  V  4-  B,  K  K  T  .  University     of    Michigan,    A     T,     1'    *     \i. 

Northwestern,  A  <I>,  A   V,  K   K   T.  K    A   9. 

Boston    University,   A  *,   K   K    V.  De  Pauvv,  K  A  B,  K   K    P. 

The    Louis   School,  A    T.  Indiana   University,   K   A   H,   K    K    P. 

(d.    1889).*  Butler,  K  A  O,  k'k  P. 

University  of  Akron,  A  P,  K  K  P.  Illinois     University,     K     A     B     (d.     iSg5), 

Trinity   University,  Te.\as  A   P.  K  K  F. 

University  of  Wisconsin,  A  P,  P  <I>  R,  K  K  P.       Wooster,    K    A    B    (d.    1913),    K    K    P    (d. 

Mount    Union,  A  P    (d.    1908).  1413). 

University  of   Minnesota,  A   P,  K   K  P.                Ohio    University,   K   A  B   {d.   i88b). 

Western    Reserve    University,  A    P.  Simpson,    K    A    B    (d.    iSqi),    K    K    P    (d. 

(d.    1888)  i8c)o),    1.   C. 

Albion   College,  A   P.  University  of  Kansas,  K  A  B,  K  K  P,  I.C. 

St.    Lawrence    University,   A    P    (d.  1887),       University  of  Vermont,  K  A  9. 

K    K   P    (d.    1808).  Allegheny,   K   A   B. 

*The  date  signifies  that  the  chajjter  became  defunct  at  that   time. 


4  Thk   HisroKV  of  Alpha   Chi   Omf.ca   Fraierxity 

Iowa  Weslevan,  I.  C".  Knox,    I.   C. 

Lombard   College,    I.   C.  York,    I.   C.    (d.    i8S8). 

Iowa  State  College,  I.  C.  Unixersitj'  of  Denver,  I.  C. 

South   Iowa  Normal,   I.  C.    (d.   18S7).  \Vesleyan     Female     College,     Atlelphean, 

Carthage  College,   1.  C.    (d.   iS8<S).  I'hilomathean. 

Of  these  fortN'-four  institutions,  hut  thirty-three  proved  to  be  permanent 
fraternity  fields.  Many  of  these  early  chapters  became  defunct  in  a  few  years 
(thirty-four,  according  to  the  data  available).  The  fraternities  which  became 
later  very  strong  were  at  this  time  in  a  stage  of  flux.  Of  twenty-four  chap- 
ters which  Kajjpa  Alpha  Theta.  the  oldest  fraternity  at  this  time,  founded 
before  1890.  she  lust  ten.  I.  C.  in  1885.  legislated  to  restrict  extension  to  col- 
leges, in  the  future,  thus  depriving  herself  of  nine  city  chapters  in  that  year. 
In  1888  I.  C.  adopted  a  Greek-letter  name,  Pi  Beta  Phi,  and  became  a 
national  Greek-letter  fraternity  in  the  conventional  sense  of  that  term.  In 
1885.  also,  the  first  number  of  the  Kappa  Alpha  Theta  Journal  appeared 
(June),  and  the  editors  claimed  "700  members  enrolment."  At  this  time  the 
fraternity  just  mentioned  possessed  fourteen  active  chapters.  Miss  Green  esti- 
mates "an  average  membership  of  ten.  or  a  total  active  membership  of  140.'" 
Alpha  Phi  and  (iamma  Phi  Beta  had  but  recently  established  their  second 
chapters  (1881  and  1882,  respectively),  and  so  were  just  entering  upon 
national  problems  at  the  time  of  the  founding  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  Kappa 
Kappa  (jamma  estal)lished  thirty-one  chapters  before  1890,  and  lost  ten  of 
them  before  1900.  The  first  is.sue  of  their  magazine.  The  Golden  Key. 
appeared  in  May,  1882,  and  was  published  by  chapters  until  1904  when  it  Avas 
placed  in  the  hands  of  an  editor.  In  1886  its  name  had  become  The  Key. 
Delta  Gamma,  like  her  contemporaries.  Kappa  Alpha  Theta  and  Kappa 
Kappa  (iamma.  was  lavish  in  her  early  bestowal  of  charters.  Twenty-two 
chapters  were  established  before  1890  of  which  twelve  were  lost,  ten  of  them 
becoming  defunct  even  before  1890.  All  three  of  these  fraternities  became 
very  conservative  in  extension  after  the  nineties.  Alpha  Chi  Omega  followed 
their  later  practice,  it  seems,  for  she  has  been  extremely  cautious  from  the 
first  in  the  granting  of  charters.     As  a  result  she  has  lost  but  one  chapter. 

The  minutes  of  the  early  years,  to  take  a  look  into  the  future,  are  shot 
through  with  discussions  of  the  granting  of  new  chapters,  but  nothing  was 
done  hastily  or  in  an  ill-considered  way.  Perhaps  the  early  members  profited 
from  the  experience  of  their  contemporaries  ;  perhaps  Dean  Howe's  advice, 
"to  steer  their  course  carefully,  attend  closely  to  their  own  affairs,  and  in 
good  time  all  would  work  to  their  success."  taught  them  discretion.  At  any 
rate,  the  foundation  years  were  solid  and  permanent  in  their  activity.  We 
may  regret  the  early  ultra-conservatism  ;  we  may  also  rejoice  for  it. 

Fraternity  experience,  then,  before  1885,  had  demonstrated  need  for 
wisdom  and  for  discretion  in  extension,  and  had  proved  the  popularity  and 
the  real  value  of  the  fraternity  system  for  women.  Educational  experience 
had  proved  the  necessity  for  learning  and  for  state  support  for  women's 
education.  In  such  favoring  conditions  as  these,  in  the  section  of  the 
country  most  pregnant  with  potentiality,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  destined  to 
appear. 


CHAPTER  II 

ORGANIZATION  OF  ALPHA  CHI  OMEGA 

At  the  time  when  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  established,  the  fraternity  system 
was  ineradicably  entrenched.  Women's  fraternities  had  not  yet  approached 
their  present  vigor  of  organization  and  national  prestige.  In  1885  but  five 
national  organizations  for  college  women  bearing  Greek-letter  names,  Alpha 
Phi,  Delta  Gamma,  Gamma  Phi  Beta,  Kappa  Alpha  Theta,  and  Kappa 
Kappa  Gamma,  had  been  established.  I.  C.  had  not  yet  become  Pi  Beta  Phi 
in  name  nor  had  vet  restricted  her  chapters  to  the  college  field.  For  all 
practical  purposes,  however,  she  was,  at  this  time,  a  college  fraternity.  Philo- 
mathean  (later  Phi  Mu),  and  Adelphean  (later  Alpha  Delta  Pi)  were  still 
literary  societies  in  a  southern  woman's  college,  and  Sigma  Kap'pa,  at  Colby, 
was  not  yet  national.  Altogether  there  had  been  established  sixty-four  chapters 
of  these  nine  organizations'located  in  forty-four  institutions.  The  five  national 
Greek-letter  organizations  in  1885,  relatively  weak  though  they  were  in 
numbers,  and,  on  an  average  i)ut  thirteen  years  of  age,  had  entered  thirty- 
five  colleges.  Thirty  of  these  proved  to  be  permanent  fraternity  fields,  and 
into  fourteen  of  them  Alpha  Chi  Omega  has  since  entered. 

The  colleges  entered  by  the  women's  fraternities  were  widely  dispersed, 
and  as  remarked  above,  often  contained  but  one  women's  fraternity.*  The 
groups,  on  the  average,  were  small  compared  to  the  present  size  of  chapters. 
The  total  number  of  women  students  in  fraternities,  therefore,  was  relatively 
small.  Baini's  Manual  of  American  College  Fraternities  estimates  the 
entire  numer  of  alumnae  and  undergraduate  members  in  1883  as  1033.  This 
table  is,  however,  confused  and  incomplete.  Estimating  from  various  sources 
and  including  the  members  of  I.  C,  Adelphean,  and  Philomathean,  which 
Baird  omitted,  we  decide  that  there  were,  perhaps,  four  or  five  hundred 
active  fraternity  women  in  the  American  colleges  in  1885. 

There  was,  ostensibly,  a  need  for  more  fraternities  for  women.  In  the 
social  life  of  both  men  and  women  the  fraternity  system  had  become  impor- 
tant. In  the  fall  of  1885,  therefore,  James  Hamilton  Howe,  then  Dean  of  the 
School  of  Music  of  De  Pauw  University,  Greencastle,  Indiana,  conceived  the 
idea  that  such  an  organization  would  be  a  benefit  both  to  the  School  of  Music 
and  to  the  young  women  students  in  that  department.  Having  this  idea  in 
mind  he  called  together  several  of  the  representative  students,  and  presented 
the  plan  to  them  with  the  result  that  seven  enthusiastic  young  women  banded 
themselves  together.  Since  Dean  Howe  w-as  not  a  fraternity  man,  James  G. 
Campbell  (a  member  of  Beta  Theta  Pi)  was  consulted  as  to  the  proper  method 
of  procedure  in  forming  a  Greek-letter  society.  Through  his  knowledge  and 
assistance  a  constitution  and  by-laws  were  drafted,  and  after  many  other  pre- 
liminaries had  been  arranged,  on  October  15,  1885,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  came 


*Seventeen   institutions   contained    more    than    one    woman's    fraternity   in    1885.      See 
table  in  Chapter  I. 


S  -"S  " 


2   cm 


(JRC.ANIZATION    OF    AlPHA    ChI    OmEGA 


7 


into  an  organized  existence  with  the  following  members  enrolled  as  her  found- 
ers:  Anna  Allen.  Olive  Burnett.  Bertha  Deniston,  Amy  Du  Bois,  Nellie  Gam- 
ble. Bessie  (irooms.  and  Mstelle  Leonard.  The  new  fraternity  was  very  cor- 
dially received  into  the  Greek  world  at  1  )e  Pauw  University,  the  other 
"Greeks"  offering  their  hearty  ccmgratulations  and  pledging  their  support  to 
the  "Ijabv  sister."     An  "overwhelming  ovation"  was  given  bv  the  students  to 


Jamks   IIamhton    Howe 


the  new  society  on  their  first  appearance  in  a  botly  at  Chapel  in  Meharry  Hall. 
Four  months  later,  February  26,  1886.  Dean  Howe  formally  introduced  his 
protegees  by  a  Soiree  Musicale. 

Dean  Howe  continued  to  maintain  a  deep  interest  in  the  new  fraternity, 
manifesting  that  feeling  in  many  tangible  ways,  doing  everything  that  lay 
within  his  power  for  the  advancement  of  Alpha  Chi  (Jmega.  The  fact  that 
his  interest  has  not  waned  even  after  an  interval  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 


8  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

century,  is  illustrated  by  the  following  epistle,  which  was  received  in  response 
to  a  request  for  a  letter,  describing  the  founding  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  for 
pul)lication  in  this  volume.  Because  of  mis-statements  which  have  been 
made  concerning  the  nature  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  its  earlv  days  this 
letter  is  a  great  value.  "It  is  fortunate,"  says  Dean  Howe,  "that  I  have 
lived  long  enough  to  be  on  hand  to  give  decisive  evidence."  His  letter  reads 
as  follows : 

Hotel  Burlington, 
Seattle,  Washington, 
September  sixth,  1916. 
Miss  Florence  A.  x\rmstrong. 

Author  of  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega, 
Macdowell   Memorial  Association, 
Peterborough,  N.  H. 
Dear  Miss  Armstrong : 

I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  comply  with  your  request  for  a  few  affidavits  as 
to  the  organization  and  earlv  situations  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

The  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Sorority  was  not  organized  as  a  professional  frater- 
nity. At  its  organization  in  1885,  it  was  a  regular  university  fraternity,  upon 
the  same  basis  as  the  Kappa  Alpha  Theta,  Kappa  Kappa  (lamma,  and  other 
fraternities  of  De  Pauw  University. 

I  was  verv  careful  that  from  the  first,  everv  step  should  be  taken  in  accor- 
dance with  the  accepted  traditions  and  methods  recognized  by  other  fraterni- 
ties. I  employed  a  regular  fraternity  man,  a  Beta,  to  lav  out  a  constitution  and 
set  of  by-laws,  such  as  were  generally  approved  at  that  time.  These,  I  mider- 
stand,  have  been  thoroughlv  revised  and  brought  up  to  meet  the  requirements 
of  modern  times. 

I  watched  over  the  young  .sorority,  as  one  would  over  one's  own  child. 
It  was  my  only  child,  and  it  is  the  only  child  I  have  at  the  present  time. 
I  can  assure  all  present  members  that  not  a  step  was  taken  that  was  not  in 
harmonv  with  the  rules  and  regulations  incumbent  upon  our  other  regular 
university  fraternities. 

Members  of  other  fraternities  were  not  invited  to  become  members,  nor 
did  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  ever  accept  invitations  from  other  sororities.  From 
the  first,  the  membership  was  drawn  freely  from  the  Liberal  Arts  Department 
of  the  university  ;  the  only  specification  being  that  they  should,  in  some  degree, 
be  connected  wdth  the  School  of  Music,  some  courses  of  which  received 
liberal  arts  credit  from  the  university. 

The  School  of  Music  -was  an  incorporated  and  integral  part  of  De  Pauw 
University ;  and  enrolled  among  its  students  many  members  of  other  frater- 
nities and  sororities.  The  only  difference  between  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  and 
other  fraternities  was,  that  music  was  the  chief  tradition  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega ; 
and  that  some  music  culture,  as  well  as  literary  culture,  was  expected  of  its 
members. 

When  I  took  charge  of  the  De  Pauw  School  of  Music  in  1884,  I  arranged 
courses  leading  to  Certificate,   Diploma,  and  Degree  of  Bachelor  of  Music. 


Organization  of  Alpha  Chi  ()mk(;a  9 

These  were  granted  as  the  students  i)assed  certain  grades  or  completed  certain 
courses. 

I  believe  our  first  Degree  of  Mus.M.  was  granted  to  a  Miss  Kelly,  a  Kappa 
Kappa  Gamma,  in  1885.  Tiie  members  of  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  more  often 
received  degrees  in  other  departments  than  in  the  School  of  Music. 

We  included  about  150  students  in  the  School  of  Music,  around  1885. 
These  numbers,  under  mv  incumbency,  were  increased  to  about  300  in  1891-92. 
The  "hard  times"  of  1893-94  struck  us.  and  the  "World's  Fair"  coming  at 
the  same  time,  tended  to  curtail  the  attendance  during  the  last  two  years 
of  my  Deanship  at  De  Pauw. 

I  trust  that  the  above  will  assist  in  clearing  matters  that  some  may  believe 
to  have  been  open  to  question. 

With  kind  regards  to  every  member  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  I  close  with  the 
assurance  that  my  services  are  at  your  call  at  any  and  all  times. 

My  best  wishes  for  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

Very  sincerely, 


^OyUl^UAyG^q^ 


While  the  seven  founders  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  were  all  studying  in  the 
De  Pauw  School  of  Music,  the  fraternity  which  they  established  was  not 
a  "strictly  musical"  organization.  Since  there  has  been  much  misunderstand- 
ing on  this  point  it  is  doubtless  wise  to  explain  the  nature  of  the  university 
in  which  the  fraternity  was  born.  The  relationship  between  the  liberal  arts 
courses  and  the  musical  courses  was  close.  The  school  of  music  was  not, 
as  in  present  larger  universities,  a  separate  college,  far  removed  from  the 
life  of  the  university,  but  was  a  department  of  the  undergraduate  work  of  the 
university.  An  integral  part  of  its  work  was  in  the  courses  of  the  liberal 
arts  department,  so  that  students  in  the  music  department  were  students 
also  in  the  liberal  arts  department.  There  were,  in  addition  to  this  fact,  no 
arbitrary  musical  requirements  for  membership  in  Alpha  Chi  Omega  beyond 
one  that  the  university  student  be  in  some  way  connected  with  the  School  of 
Music.  The  interests  of  the  students  who  carried  work  in  music,  as  a  conse- 
quence, included  both  the  liberal  arts  and  the  fine  arts.  Their  friendships, 
growing  out  of  daily  association  with  students  in  the  different  courses  of  the 
university,  included,  as  a  matter  of  counse,  women  in  the  various  courses. 
Friends  whose  studies  were  mainly  in  the  liberal  arts  frequently  carried  a 
course  in  music  and  were  members  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  precisely  the  same 
way  in  which  women  whose  major  work  was  in  music  were  considered  eligible 
to  membership  in  other  fraternities.  This  reasonable  basis  of  membership, 
including  both  musical-minded  and  literary-minded  students,  was  not  peculiar 
to  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  She  simply  accepted  a  plan  already  followed,  but 
went  one  step  further  by  insisting  that  all  lier  members  have  some  musical 
culture.     Thus  Alpha  Chi  Omega  emphasized  the  princijile  tliat  music  is  as 


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Organization  oi"  Alpha  Chi   Omf.ga  11 

important  a  factor  in  a  college  woman's  education  as  Latin  or  mathematics. 
In  time,  we  believe,  all  great  institutions  of  learning  will  take  the  same 
position.  For,  in  the  words  of  William  H.  Alexander,  "When  Plato  said 
that  musical  training  is  a  more  {)otent  instrument  than  any  other,  because 
rhythm  and  harmony  hnd  their  way  into  the  secret  places  of  the  soul,  on 
which  they  mightily  fasten,  imparting  grace,  and  making  graceful  the  soul 
of  him  who  is  rightly  educated,  he  uttered  a  sentiment  which  each  succeeding 
age  has  increasingly  emphasized,  until  it  stands  as  truth." 

For  a  time  Alpha  Chi  Omega  debarred  from  her  ranks  all  women  who 
were  not  in  some  way  connected  with  the  School  of  Music.  "Literary" 
students,  in  order  to  become  eligil)le,  registered  at  the  School  of  Music  for 
some  course.  But,  contrary  to  the  statements  in  Baird's  Manual,  at  no  time 
in  her  history  has  Alpha  Chi  Omega  been  a  professional  fraternity.  In  1889, 
indeed,  a  national  literary  fraternity  extended  an  invitation  to  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  to  join  her  own  ranks.  Alpha  Chi  Omega  never  dreamed  of  inviting 
to  membership  those  who  belonged  to  other  fraternities,  a  practice  which 
Baird's  Manual  cites  as  a  prominent  characteristic  of  professional  fraternities. 
In  no  way  was  Alpha  Chi  Omega  at  her  birth  different  from  other  general 
fraternities  except  in  her  insistence  that  all  her  members  possess  musical 
culture.  This  requirement  was  too  advanced,  it  seems,  for  the  time.  For  as 
early  as  1891  Beta  Chapter  requested  permission  to  initiate  freshmen  without 
requiring  them  to  study  music.  No  immediate  change  was  made  in  the 
constitution,  but  the  trend  of  the  practice  of  chapters  was  toward  freedom 
in  the  matter.  The  expansion  of  the  Fraternity  into  state  universities  begin- 
ning in  1889  was  the  signal  for  a  forced  change  because  of  the  highly 
specialized  and  separate  character  of  the  university  departments,  as  described 
below.  Had  there  been  even  a  strong  tendency  in  the  direction  of  profession- 
alism. Alpha  Chi  Omega  might  have  developed  into  a  professional  organiza- 
tion during  a  youthful  period  of  four  years  in  her  life  (1893-1897).  In  this 
period  the  constitution  of  the  Fraternity  permitted  the  entering  of  any  conser- 
vatory of  high  standard.  Under  this  policy  but  one  chapter  was  established, 
Zeta,  at  the  New  England  Conservatory  of  Music,  Boston.  Of  the  liberal 
training  given  by  this  institution  Alta  Allen  Loud,  National  President,  once 
wrote  for  The  Lyre  that  she  was  much  impressed  with  the  rigid  literary 
requirements  exacted  of  the  students.  "Many  of  the  students  go  there 
from  other  colleges  and  advanced  institutions,  and  when  we  recall  the 
fact  that  one  of  Zeta's  members  served  us  six  years  in  the  capacity  of 
treasurer  and  later  as  business  manager  of  The  Lyre,  and  that  two  of  our  six 
editors  have  been  chosen  from  her  ranks,  we  feel  like  paying  tribute  to  an 
institution  that  produces  the  artistic  results  that  the  New  England  Conser- 
vatory does  and  still  develops  the  literary  and  all-round  nature  of  its 
students."* 

After   the  establishment   of   Zeta   Chapter     *     *     the   original    law   was 
then  reverted  to  which  authorized  the  entering  onlv  of  colleges  and  universities 


*The  Lyre,   November,   iQio.     Since   the   abo\e   was   written   one   of   the   members  ot 
Zetn  Chapter  has  served  a  term  as   National   President. 


12  'I'm-    IIisi'()R\'  or  At.pha   Cm   Omega   Fraternity 

of  high  stantlard.  I'ltimately,  all  regulations  regarding  the  distribution  of 
courses  among  the  various  departments  of  a  university  were  removed  so  that 
now  all  collegiate  courses  leading  to  a  degree,  whether  in  fine  arts,  liberal 
arts,  science,  or  industrial  arts,  are  on  a  par. 

Alpha  Chi  Omega,  like  other  fraternities  then,  was  founded  on  the  basis 
of  mutual  helpfulness  and  of  congenial  fellowship.  Her  purpose,  like  theirs, 
was  the  advancement  of  tlie  intellectual,  social,  and  moral  culture  of  her 
members,  and  in  addition  to  the  aims  common  to  the  other  fraternities, 
included  specifically  the  furtherance  of  one  of  the  fine  arts.  Her  constitution, 
after  constant  changes  which  began  immediately  after  the  first  draft  was 
made,  now  reads  :  "The  objects  of  this  fraternity  are  to  encourage  the  spirit  of 
true  sisterhood,  to  develop  through  personal  effort  a  high  moral  and  mental 
standard,  and  to  advance  the  appreciation  and  practice  of  the  allied  arts 
among  its  members." 

The  first  constitution  read:  "The  object  of  this  fraternity  is  as  follows: 
To  attain  to  the  highest  musical  culture  and  to  cultivate  those  principles 
that  embody  true  womanhood." 

The  beloved  founders  of  the  fraternity  are  here  mentioned  in  a  brief 
way  in  order  that  the  main  facts  of  their  lives  may  be  available. 

An?ia  Allen  (Mrs.  Harry  M.  Smith).  Anna  Allen  was  born  in  Green- 
castle,  Indiana,  in  1870,  and  has  lived  there  all  her  life.  While  attending 
the  public  schools  she  began  the  study  of  music  and  became  an  accomplished 
musician  at  a  very  early  age.  Being  one  of  the  first  students  of  the  depart- 
ment of  music  of  De  Pauw  University,  she  was  the  youngest  in  the  school  to  do 
advanced  work,  graduating  from  the  conservatory  at  the  age  of  nineteen. 
During  her  junior  year  she  began  teaching  pianoforte  in  the  School  of  Music 
and  occupied  that  position  until  1896  when  she  went  to  Chicago  to  study 
under  Mme.  Fanny  Bloomfield-Zeisler  and  Emil  Liebling.  Her  reputation  as 
a  student  of  exceptional  ability  and  rare  self-possession,  as  a  brilliant  per- 
former and  an  excellent  accompanist  has  rendered  her  very  prominent  in 
musical  circles  where  her  generosity  has  proved  of  great  benefit  and  pleasure 
to  the  public. 

Miss  Allen  was  married  when  quite  young  to  Mr.  Harry  M.  Smith,  of 
Greencastle,  Indiana,  where  they  have  a  beautiful  home  on  Walnut  Street, 
which  has  always  been  open  to  the  Alpha  Chi  girls.  It  has  been  her  privilege 
to  be  more  closely  associated  with  the  mother  chapter  than  any  of  the  other 
founders.  The  members  of  Alpha  not  only  have  always  felt  sincere  apprecia- 
tion for  her  influence  and  counsel,  but  love  and  respect  for  her  charming 
personality  and  impartial  manner. 

Olive  Burnett  (Mrs.  Ralph  Clark).  Olive  Burnett  was  born  in  Green- 
castle, Indiana,  June  10,  1867.  After  attending  the  public  schools  there 
until  1880,  she  spent  one  year  in  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  resuming  her  studies 
•on  the  piano  and  beginning  on  the  violin.  She  then  attended  high  school  in 
Anderson,  Indiana,  until  the  fall  of  1885,  when  she  entered  the  School  of 
Music  of  De  Pauw  University,  studying  the  piano  and  violin.  During  the  first 
year  in  the  school,  upon  the  request  of  Dean  James  Hamilton   Howe,  she 


Organization  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  13 

took  up  the  study  of  double  bass  and  cello  in  order  to  fill  a  long-felt  need  in 
orchestra  and  ensemble  work.  During  the  years  1886-88,  she  was  a  member 
of  the  School  of  Music  faculty  of  De  Pauw,  teaching  pianoforte  and  primary 
work  on  the  violin,  cello,  and  double  bass  ;  at  the  same  time  she  was  also 
organist  at  the  College  Avenue  M.  E.  Church.  In  the  spring  term  of  her 
junior  year  she  gave  up  her  studies  and  began  teaching  piano  and  violin  in 
Anderson  and  Franklin,  Indiana. 

Her  work  for  the  building  up  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  has,  from  the  very 
first,  been  enthusiastic  and  tireless,  for  all  her  life  she  has  lived  in  an  atmos- 
phere of  fraternity  spirit,  and  she  believes  it  to  be  a  vital  influence  in  a 
college  education.  She  has  always  remained  in  touch  with  Alpha  Chapter 
enjoying  many  visits  with  the  girls. 

Miss  Burnett  was  married  in  1889  to  Mr.  Ralph  B.  Clark,  a  business 
man  and  a  prominent  musician  of  Anderson,  Indiana.  In  their  home  they 
have  continued  their  music  not  only  as  relating  to  themselves  but  in  the 
education  of  their  two  sons  and  their  daughter,  each  of  whom  studies  a 
different  instrument,  which  harmonious  ensemble  creates  a  beautiful  musical 
atmosphere,  the  influence  of  which  has  brought  great  joy  and  satisfaction  not 
only  to  the  immediate  family,  but  to  their  many  friends. 

Mrs.  Clark  claims  the  honor  of  being  the  first  and  so  far,  the  only  one 
of  the  founders  to  be  represented  at  De  Pauw.  The  first  son,  (ieorge  Linden- 
berg  Clark,  graduated  there  in  1914;  the  second,  Robert  Walker  Clark,  in 
1916.  Both  belong  to  the  Beta  Theta  Pi  Fraternity,  and  both  are  Phi  Beta 
Kappas.  During  their  college  course  they  were  active  in  the  musical  organi- 
zations and  affairs  of  De  Pauw,  George  playing  the  cello,  and  Robert,  the 
violin. 

But  to  Mrs.  Clark  the  greatest  honor  and  joy  is  that  her  only  daughter, 
Maryellen,  who  enters  De  Pauw  this  fall  of  1916,  will  be  the  first  daughter 
of  a  founder  to  wear  the  colors  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  "and  in  Alpha  Chapter 
too!"  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  reside  at  1132  Central  Avenue,  Anderson. 
Indiana. 

Bertha  Denistoti  (Mrs.  Scohy  Ctiniiinghain ).  Bertha  Deniston  was  born 
at  Peru,  Indiana,  July  28,  1869.  It  was  the  wish  of  her  mother,  who  died 
in  the  spring  of  1885,  that  her  daughter  should  study  music  at  De  Pauw 
University,  so  in  the  fall  of  that  year  she  entered  the  School  of  Music  and 
lived  in  the  dormitory. 

Although  very  quiet  and  reserved,  her  genial  smile  and  sweet  disposition 
soon  placed  her  in  high  favor  with  all  the  students.  She  was  well  advanced 
in  piano  study  when  she  entered  the  music  school,  and  her  remarkable  execu- 
tion and  composure  were  the  envy  of  all  the  students,  especially  at  recital 
time.  She  won  the  reputation  of  accomplishing  more  work  with  less  expendi- 
ture of  time  than  any  student  in  the  school.  She  and  Mary  Jones  (Mrs. 
Richard  Tennant)  were  the  first  national  delegates  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega, 
having  been  chosen  by  Alpha  to  establisli  Beta  Chapter  at  Albion,  Michigan. 

Miss  Deniston  left  school  before  graduation  to  accept  a  position  in  Pear- 
son's Piano  House  in  Indianapolis.     On  July   18,   1893,  she  was  married  to 


14  TiiK   Hisrokv  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Mr.  Scoby  Cunningliam  (Beta  Thcta  Pi),  a  graduate  of  Indiana  University, 
and  since  that  time  they  have  lived  in  Indianapolis.  She  is  an  enthusiastic 
member  of  the  Beta  Beta  Alumnse  Chapter  at  her  home  city,  and  meets  with 
the  1  )e  Bauw  girls  each  year  at  their  annual  banquet. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cunningham  have  two  sons,  Harold  and  Frederick,  who 
with  their  parents,  welcome  the  wearers  of  the  lyre  to   1909  Ruckle  Street. 

.1/11  y  Du  Bois  (Mrs.  Julius  Ricth).  Amy  Du  Bois  was  born  in  Nokomis, 
Illinois,  December  31,  1869,  but  when  she  was  very  young  her  parents  moved 
to  Oxford,  Indiana,  where  she  lived  at  the  time  she  entered  De  Pauw  Univer- 
sity in  1885.  She  studied  both  the  pianoforte  and  voice  in  the  School  of 
Music  and  was  familiarly  known  as  the  "little  girl  with  the  big  voice." 
Although  she  attended  the  music  school  but  one  year,  in  that  time  she  endeared 
herself  not  only  to  the  Alpha  Chis  but  also  to  her  teachers  and  to  the  entire 
student  body  by  her  bright,  cheerful  disposition,  her  straightforward  manner, 
and  her  industry.  She  was  honored  several  times  during  the  year  by  being 
selected  to  sing  on  important  occasions,  one  of  which  was  the  Festival  of  the 
School  of  Music  in  which  she  took  a  leading  part. 

After  leaving  college  in  1886,  she  moved  to  Colby,  Kansas,  where  she 
organized  a  music  class.  A  few  years  later  she  was  married  to  Mr.  Julius 
Rieth,  and  went  to  live  at  Crete,  Nebraska.  For  four  years  she  was  connected 
with  the  Doane  College  as  teacher  of  piano,  voice,  and  harmony.  From  Crete, 
Nebraska,  they  moved  to  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  where  with  their  one  daughter, 
Mrs.  Rieth  lived  at  2433  Lynn  Street  until  her  death  on  August  12,  1915. 
Here  Mrs.  Rieth  had  enjoyed  keeping  in  touch  with  the  Fraternity  through 
Xi  Chapter.  The  death  of  one  of  the  seven  founders  caused  deep  grief 
throughout  the  Fraternity. 

Nellie  Gamble  (Mrs.  Edward  Childe).  Nellie  Gamble  was  born  May 
12,  1867,  in  Martinsville,  Illinois.  After  completing  the  course  in  the  public 
schools  in  her  home  city,  she  entered  the  School  of  Music  at  De  Pauw  LTni- 
versity  to  pursue  her  piano  studies.  She  was  amply  possessed  of  personal 
charms,  was  an  energetic  and  conscientious  student,  and  had  the  thoroughly 
good  qualities  of  a  fraternity  girl,  loyalty,  earnestness,  and  unselfishness. 

Her  musical  career,  however,  came  to  an  end  a  short  time  after  she  entered 
the  school,  as  she  soon  returned  to  her  home  to  be  married  to  Mr.  Edward 
Willard  Childe,  of  Moores,  New  York.  Good  traits  of  character  are  as  essen- 
tial to  successful  housekeeping  as  to  professional  work,  so  Mrs.  Childe  has  been 
fully  equal  to  the  requirements  of  her  domestic  "career."  She  and  her 
husband  are  now  living  in  Martinsville,  Illinois. 

Bessie  Grooms  (Mrs.  Luther  Keenan).  Bessie  Grooms  was  born  in  Green- 
castle,  Indiana,  April  28,  1866,  and  lived  there  until  her  marriage  to  Mr. 
Luther  Courtland  Keenan  in  1895.  She  began  the  study  of  pianoforte  music 
when  very  young  and  by  the  time  she  graduated  from  the  high  school,  was 
one  of  the  most  accomplished  musicians  in  the  city.  She  immediately  entered 
the  Music  School  of  De  Pauw  University  to  continue  her  studies,  intending 
to  complete  the  course,  but  her  work  came  to  an  abrupt  end  when  by  over- 
practice  she  strained  the  muscles  of  her  left  wrist.     She  lost  the  use  of  the 


Organizaiion  of  Ai.iMiA  Chi  Omkca  15 

fingers  of  that  hand  for  over  a  year  and.  as  a  conseiinence.  '^iwv  U]'  lier  music 
entirely,  for  fear  that  steady  practice  might  cause  a  permanent  affliction. 

Mrs.  Keenan  was  one  of  the  three  (ireencastle  girls  of  the  seven  founders 
of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  The  first  large  social  function  of  the  Fraternity,  an 
elaborate  and  memorable  alfair,  was  given  at  her  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keenan 
and  their  family  of  sons  and  daughters  live  in  Le  Roy,  Illinois,  where  Mr. 
Keenan  is  engaged  in  the  banking  business. 

Est  die  Leonard.  Estelle  Leonard  entered  the  Schot)l  of  Music  of 
De  Pauw  University,  September,  1885,  and  graduated  from  that  department 
in  1891,  having  been  a  member  of  the  faculty  for  the  last  two  years  that 
she  was  a  student  there.  Miss  Leonard  was  principal  of  the  Music  Depart- 
ment in  Moores  Hill  College,  1889-1893,  during  which  period  she  carried 
work  in  the  senior  year  at  De  Pauw  University.  After  studying  at  the 
Cincinnati  College  of  Music  in  1893-1894  and  receiving  a  certificate,  she 
l)ecame  principal  of  the  Piano  Department  in  Centenary  College,  1894-1895. 
During  the  next  four  or  five  years  she  studied  at  the  College  of  Music 
irregularly  and  then  located  at  217  Plum  Street,  Union  City.  Indiana,  where 
she  now  has  a  large  class  in  piano  music.  Miss  Leonard  was  choir  director 
at  the  Lutheran  Church  in  that  city  one  year ;  for  fourteen  years  she  has 
been  organist  and  choir  director  at  the  First  Methodist  Church  there,  as  well 
as  an  active  member  of  the  Cecilian  Musical  Club  of  which  she  was  president 
1907-08.  During  her  vacations  Miss  Leonard  has  studied  with  the  best 
teachers  in  the  East,  having  spent  some  time  learning  the  methods  in  Musical 
Kindergarten,  which  she  has  introduced  with  marked  success  into  her  classes. 
She  has  recently  published  a  volume  of  easy  teaching  pieces  for  the  piano. 

In  1914  Miss  Leonard  entered  the  field  of  Pul)lic  School  Music,  and 
since  that  time  has  been  music  supervisor  in  Union  City  East  Side  Schools. 
On  July  14,  1916,  she  graduated  from  the  American  Institute  of  Normal 
Methods  in  Chicago.  She  also  studied  at  Northwestern  in  the  summer  of 
1916.  Beside  her  work  in  the  public  schools  she  is  still  teaching  a  large  class 
of  private  pupils. 

Too  much  cannot  be  said  of  Miss  Leonard's  loyalty  and  influence  for 
Alpha  Chi  Omega.  Besides  being  one  of  the  founders  and  Alpha's  first 
president,  she  had  the  pleasure  and  satisfaction  of  working  in  the  Fraternity 
for  several  years  and  did  much  toward  effecting  jjractical  organization,  and 
toward  estal)lishin<r  a  firm  foundation  for  future  growth. 


CHAPTER  III 

EARLY  YEARS 

As  is  probably  the  case  with  all  fraternities  founded  twenty-five  years  ago 
or  more,  the  early  records  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  are  somewhat  meager,  for 
the  charter  members  did  not  begin  to  realize  to  what  proportions  the  organi- 
zation they  were  founding  would  grow  in  a  tjuarter  of  a  century.  The  min- 
utes of  the  meetings  of  the  first  few  years  although  incomplete  are  intensely 
interesting  and  often  quaint  as  compared  with  the  records  of  recent  sessions. 
The  minutes  of  some  of  the  most  significant  of  these  early  meetings  are 
quoted,  entirely  or  in  part ;  they  tell  vividly  the  story  of  those  early  business 
meetings  which  were  held  at  least  once  a  week,  though  often  more  frequently. 
Programs  of  a  musical  and  literary  nature  were  an  important  feature  of  these 
gatherings. 

The  first  chapter  roll  contains,  besides  the  names  of  the  seven  charter 
members,  those  of  the  following  early  initiates :  Leota  Fuqua,  Anna  Ryan, 
Leah  Walker,  Rose  Meredith,  Ella  Farthing,  Minnie  Shaffer,  Suda  West, 
Florence  Thompson,  and  Mrs.  Earp. 

Library  of  the  School  of  Music,  De  Parnv  University 

Greencastle,    Ind.,   October    15,    1885. 
Organization. 

The  Dean  of  the  School  of  Music,  Prof.  James  H.  Howe,  feeling  that  by  the 
organization  of  a  musical  fraternity,  a  larger  interest  could  be  developed  in  the  Art 
of  Music,  called  together  a  few  young  women  students,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a 
society  for  musical  and  social  improvement,  and  of  assisting  in  the  furtherance  of  the 
cause  of  Art.  After  naming  several  objects  for  which  the  proposed  society  might  work 
and  rehearsing  their  benefits,  a  committee  was  chosen  to  meet  and  to  formulate  a  plan 
for  future  development.  The  committee  chosen  to  consult  with  the  dean  comprised 
Misses  Estelle  Leonard,  Bertha  Deniston,  Nellie  Gamble,  and  Amy  Du  Bois.  Miss 
Estelle  Leonard  was  chosen  president  of  the  proposed  society  and  Bertha  Deniston, 
secretary.  This  committee  was  ordered  to  meet  on  Monday  evening  at  six  o'clock.  The 
meeting  adjourned   to    October   22,   at   eight   o'clock. 

Bertha   Deniston,  Secretary. 

Library  of  the  School  of  Music,  De  Painv   University,  October  ig,  1885. 

Report  of  the  Formulating  Committee. 

Meeting  was  called  to  order  by  President  Estelle  Leonard,  Misses  Bertha  Deniston, 
Amy  Du  Bois,  Nellie  Gamble,  and  Professor  Howe  being  present.  Since  the  meeting 
of  Thursday,  October  15,  1885,  members  of  the  committee  met  together  and  talked  over 
the  subject  of  the  proposed  society,  what  it  should  embrace,  the  needs  of  such  a  society, 
and  how  the  work  should  be  carried  on.  It  was  voted  that  a  Greek  society  be  formed 
similar  in  character  to  the  Greek  fraternities  of  the  College  of  Liberal  Arts.  Mr.  J.  G. 
Campbell  (a  member  of  such  a  fraternity)  was  called  in  to  give  the  general  information 
in  regard  to  the  management  of  fraternities.  Mr.  Campbell  was  asked  to  formulate  a 
constitution  and  by-laws  for  the  proposed  Fraternity,  to  be  handed  in  at  the  next  meeting. 
A  vote  of  thanks  was  tendered  to  him  for  his  kindness.  Additions  were  made  to  the 
list  of  officers :  Miss  Amy  Du  Bois  was  elected  treasurer,  Miss  Nellie  Gamble,  cor- 
responding secretary.  The  name  "Alpha  Chi  Omega,"  was  presented  and  adopted.  The 
colors  chosen  to  represent  the  Fraternity  were  red  and  bronze  green.  As  there  was  no 
further  business  requiring  attention,  a  motion  to  adjourn  was  in  order,  which  was  carried. 

Bertha   Deniston,   Secretary. 


Early  Years  17 

Adoption  of  the  Constitution. 

December  5,  1885. 
An  irregular  meeting  was  held  and  was  called  to  order  by  the  president,  Miss  Fu(|ua, 
the  following  members  being  present:  Bertha  Deniston,  Nellie  (lamble,  Rose  Meredith, 
Ella  Farthing,  Estelle  Leonard,  Hessie  Grooms,  and  Ollie  Burnett.  The  jjresident  made 
a  few  remarks  as  to  the  reason  of  the  meeting.  As  the  secretary  was  absent,  the  president 
appointed  Miss  Burnett  to  take  her  place.  The  secretary  then  read  the  constitution  which 
was  accepted.  The  next  question  brought  before  the  house  was  in  regard  to  the  concert, 
and  the  secretary  read  the  program  ;  but  as  several  of  the  members  were  to  leave  soon, 
it  was  decided  to  postpone  the  concert  until  the  middle  of  the  ne.\t  term,  when  every 
member  was  to  take  part.  Next  the  De  Painu  Monthly  was  brought  forward,  and  the 
article  which  appeared  in  regard  to  the  Fraternity  was  read  by  the  secretary  and  dis- 
cussed for  a  few  minutes.  Then  it  was  decided  to  have  it  corrected  in  the  next  copy. 
The  president  then  directed  Miss  Crooms,  the  corresponding  secretary,  to  bring  before 
the  next  meeting  the  letter  she  had  been  directed  to  write  to  a  young  woman  in  Kansas 
in  regard  to  the  starting  of  a  Sister  Chapter.  Next  in  order  was  a  motion  to  adjourn 
which  was  carried. 

Amy   Dti   Bo  is,    Secretary. 

Constitution    Re-written. 

February  5,  l886. 
Next  in  order  the  president,  Estelle  Leonard,  appointed  Suda  West  and  Florence 
Thompson  to  rewrite  the  constitution  and  the  form  of  initiation  to  be  read  at  the  ne.xt 
meeting.  A  motion  was  then  put  before  the  house  that  Florence  Thompson  write  the 
words  for  a  fraternity  song  and  Estelle  Leonard  write  the  music.  The  motion  was 
carried. 

Amy   Du   Bois,    Secretary. 

Opening   Ceremony. 

February   ii,   1886. 
Meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  president,  Nellie  Gamble.     The  roll  was  called 

and    the    following    members    were    present The    minutes    of    the    previous 

meeting  were  read  and  approved,  after  which  a  motion  was  made  to  have  a  regular 
form  with  which  to  begin  the  meetings,  the  form  suggested  comprising  singing,  scripture 
reading,  and   prayer.     The  motion  was  carried. 

Amy  Du  Bois,  Secretary. 

First  Frater)iity  Song. 

February  26,  1886. 
The  new  fraternity  song  which  two  of  the  members  had  been  appointed  to  write, 
was  then  presented  and  accepted.  Then  there  arose  some  discussion  in  regard  to  a 
name  for  the  song  and  it  was  decided  to  call  it  "Alpha  Prima."  Another  song,  the 
words  of  which  were  written  by  IMr.  Campbell  and  the  music  by  Mr.  Ilowe,  was  then 
brought  forward. 

Amy  Du  Bois,  Secretary. 

ReT'ised  Constitution  Adopted. 

April  q,    1886. 
The   constitution   having   been    rewritten    was   now    read   and    adopted.      The   by-laws 
were    also    adopted   unanimously. 

Estelle  Leonard.  Secretary. 

Initiation  of  Madame  Julia  Ri-'c-K ing. 

April  23,  1886. 
The  usual  order  of  the  meeting  was  changed  and  a  discussion  held  regarding  the 
admittance  to  the  fraternity  of  Mnie.  Ri\e-King,  America's  famous  jiianist.  Having 
signified  to  Professor  Howe  her  willingness  to  be  one  of  us,  on  the  same  afternoon 
Mme.  Rive-King  was  consulted  in  regard  to  her  initiation.  As  she  was  to  give  a  concert 
that  evening  in  Meharry  Hall,  it  was  thought  best  to  have  a  brief  initiatory  service 
immediately   afterward,  if  agreeable   to  her. 

Estelle  Leonard,  Secretary 


18  Thk   HisroRv   ov  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Report  for  ihc  First    Ycnr  of   the  Alpha    Chi   Omega   Fraternity. 

The  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity  was  founded  October  15,  1885,  at  the  School  of 
Music,  Greencastle,  Indiana,  by  Prof.  James  H.  Howe,  Dean  of  the  School.  James  G. 
Campbell  should  be  mentioned  for  the  assistance  and  suggestions  which  he  gave.  The 
object  of  this  Fraternity  is  as  follows :  "To  attain  to  the  highest  musical  culture  and 
to  cultivate  those  principles  that  embody  true  womanhood."  Seven  charter  members 
were  chosen  :  Estelle  Leonard,  Anna  Allen,  Amy  Du  Bois,  Bessie  Grooms,  Olive  Burnett, 
Bertha  Deniston,  Nellie  Gamble.  Twenty-three  meetings  were  held  during  the  year. 
Programs  were  given  at  ten  meetings.  Six  were  called  business  meetings;  the  remaining 
seven  were  partly  business  meetings  and  some  had  no  programs  through  carelessness. 
The  subjects  discussed  were  Beethoven,  Mendlessohn,  Haydn,  Neilson,  Lind,  Patti. 
Several  miscellaneous  programs  were   given. 

The  year  was  a  prosperous  one  ;  commencing  with  seven  members,  at  the  close  of  the 
year  the  Fraternity  numbered  twenty-two.  But  one  public  entertainment  was  given 
during  the  year,  a  Soiree  Musicale  in  Music  Hall  which  was  largely  attended  by  the 
music  lovers  of  the  city  and  which  was  a  credit  to  the  Fraternity. 

Extension  Plans. 

Saturday  Evening,  April  23,  1887. 

The  business  for  the  evening  was  to  revise  the  constitution  and  to  hear  the  report 
from  Mr.  LaRash,  of  Northwestern  University,  who  is  willing  to  help  us  form  a  chajjter 
there  and  who  has  sent  us  the  names  of  several  young  women  music  students  there. 
Discussion,  ^^otion  carried  that  these  young  ladies  be  written  to;  also  discussion  of 
dues  of  new  chapters  and  cost  of  charter.  Suggested  by  Miss  Jones  that  $.  .  .  .  be 
fixed  as  the  price  of  our  charter.  Motion  to  that  effect  carried.  Motion  carried  that 
this  note  be  put  into  the  constitution.  Motion  carried  that  the  $.  .  .  .  go  into  the  treasury 
of  the  Mother  Chapter,  subject  to  her  judgment  and  inclination.  Discussion  whether 
to  have  a  limited  number  of  charter  members  or  not  to  have  a  limited  number.  Decided 
to  have  not  more  than  seven  charter  members. 

Discussion  as  to  who  of  the  girls  shall  be  sent  to  represent  our  Fraternity  at  Evans- 
ton.  Committee  consisting  of  Misses  Jones  and  Leonard,  appointed  to  prepare  a 
charter,  said  charter  to  be  submitted  to  the  criticism  of  the  Fraternity  the  next  Friday 
evening. 

Programs  read  by  the  chairman  of  that  committee.  Approved.  Decided  to  have 
fraternity  picture  taken  next  Fridaj'  at  one  o'clock  p.  M. 

(The  minutes  of  meetings  previous  to  May  6  show  that  correspondence  had  been 
carried  on  for  some  time  with  students  at  Albion  College  relative  to  the  establishment 
there  of  a  chapter  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.) 

Beta   Chapter. 

Friday,   May  6,    1887. 

A  letter  read  from  Albion,  Michigan,  saying  they  were  ready  for  us  to  organize 
a  chapter  there,  having  five  charter  members  waiting.  Reading  of  the  charters,  two  of 
them  having  been   prepared  ;   one  by   Miss   Jones,   one   by    Miss    Leonard. 

No  decision  made.     To  be  decided  next  meeting. 

Friday,   May    13,    1887. 

The  program  for  this  evening  and  next  meeting  withdrawn.  Reading  of  charter. 
Discussion.  Moved  and  seconded  that  Miss  Jones  revise  the  charter,  adding  the  words, 
"the  right  to  withdraw  the  charter."  Letter  read  from  Albion.  Motion  carried  that 
Miss  Jones  and  Miss  Allen  visit  Albion,  Thursday,  May  26,  1887.  Decided  to  hold 
fraternity  meeting  Friday  and  .Saturday  evenings  next  week.  Misses  Berr^^  and  Wilson 
appointed  to  look  at  books  suitable  to  contain  the  constitution. 

Miss  Deniston  appointed  to  copy  the  constitution  ;'  Miss  Jones,  the  songs  ;  Miss  Allen, 
the  music  of  our  fraternitj'  songs. 

Revision  of  Constitution. 

Saturday  Night,  May  21,  1887. 
The  Fraternity  resumed  the  revision  of  the  constitution,  going  back  to  Article  I, 
Section  III.  Question:  What  shall  be  our  open  motto?  Moved  and  carried  that  a  motto 
be  presented  b}'  a  committee  of  three  to  the  Fraternity  next  Monday  evening  at  half- 
past  six.  Committee  of  three  appointed  for  this  purpose.  Misses  Meredith,  Barry,  and 
lones.      Motion   carried    that  it   shall    require   two-thirds   vote   of  all   the  chapters   to  with- 


Beta  Charter   ME>[iiEKS   anm)   Installation    Olitceks 

Florine   Deffendorf 

Jennie  A.  Worthington  l^.mma  Crittenden 

Haniet    Reynolds 

Mary    Jones    Tennant  ,.,  lievtha    Dcn.ston 

Elizabeth    Smith  Mora    Aldgate 


20  The   HIs^()R^    of  Alpha   Chi   Omeca   Fraier.mty 

draw  a  charter.  Reading  of  the  charter  prepared  by  Miss  Jones.  Discussion.  Motion 
carried  that  the  new  charter  members  shall  pledge  themselves  individually,  to  the  chair- 
man of  the  committee,  who  visits  them,  to  support  faithfully  their  chapter  of  Alpha 
Chi  Omega. 

Amendment  to  By-law  II  is  as  follows:  Officers  shall  be  installed  at  the  first  meet- 
ing of  the  next  term  according  to  the  form  adopted  January  14,  18S7.  The  motion 
carried  that  Sections  7  and  8  be  struck  out. 

Section  9.  Motion  carried  that  the  duties  of  corresponding  secretary  be  changed, 
part  of  the  duties  being  transferred  to  the  recording  secretary. 

Slight  changes  made  in  Sections  15  and  17.  Slight  changes  made  in  Section  I  of 
Article  III.  After  motion  that  we  meet  Tuesday  at  seven  p.  M.  to  hear  all  reports, 
adjourned. 

Open  Molto — Beta  Chapter. 

Tuesday,  May  24,   1887,  7  p.  M. 

Report  from  Miss  Burnett  in  regard  to  the  constitution  book.  Miss  Barry  bought 
it  and  Afiss  Burnett  left  it  at  an  establishment  to  be  stamped  with  A  X  O  in  large  form. 

Report  from  Motto  Committee.  Miss  Jones  said  they  had  not  decided  on  any  one 
in  particular,  but  would  suggest  a  few  to  select  from,  as  follows :  "Strive  for  the 
highest."  "Ye  daughters  of  Music,  come  up  higher!"  "Musical  culture,  first  and  last!" 
Discussion.  Motto  chosen,  "Ye  daughters  of  Music,  come  up  higher !"  Secretary 
instructed  to  put  this  motto  in  its  proper  place  in  the  constitution,  which  was  done. 
Secretary  also  instructed  to  secure  the  Greek  translation  of  this  motto  and  to  place  it 
with   the    English   in   the   constitution. 

Miss  Deniston  elected  to  be  the  second  delegate  to  Albion  on  account  of  Miss 
Allen's  not  being  able  to  go.  Miss  Burnett  was  appointed  to  copy  the  constitution  in 
the  place  of  Miss  Deniston.  Miss  Meredith  appointed  to  copy  the  songs.  Decided  to 
have  a  meeting  to  look  over  the  constitution  before  the  girls  leave.  Time  set :  Thursday 
evening  at  5  o'clock.  The  girls  leave  at  i  p.  M.,  Friday,  May  27.  Motion  carried  that 
a  fine  be  required  for  absence  on  Thursday  and  have  no  meeting  on   Friday. 

By-laws  taken  up.  Slight  changes  made  in  Section  I  of  Article  IV.  A  new  section 
inserted  after  Section  III  of  Article  IV  to  this  effect:  "Non-active  members  shall  be 
allowed  to  attend  all  fraternity  meetings  when  they  so  desire,  but  shall  not  be  put  on 
duty  nor  be   subject   to   fines." 

A  new  section  was  inserted  after  Section  5  of  Article  W  to  this  effect  :  "\o  member 
of  this  Fraternity  may  sever  her  connection  with  this  Fraternity  without  an  honorable 
dismissal   or  expulsion." 

Motion  carried  that  Miss  Shaffer  purchase  one-half  dozen  cards  to  be  used  as 
certificates  of  admission  to  our  Fraternity. 

Reading  of  Initiation  Ceremony.  Motion  carried  that  the  explanation  of  grip, 
knock,  and  whistle  be  added  to  the  constitution,  which  was  done.  Motion  carried  that 
initiation  ceremony  be  added  to  the  constitution. 

Report  on  Installation  of  Beta  Cha.pter. 

Thursday,  May  26,  1887. 
Report  of  the  organization  of  Beta  Chapter  in  Albion  College  in  Michigan,  where 
six  girls  were  initiated  as  charter  members.  Miss  Jones  gave  a  detailed  account  of  the 
committee's  visit  to  Albion  and  Ann  Arbor.  They  were  charmed  with  our  new  sisters 
and  much  pleased  with  the  women  met  in  Ann  Arbor,  but  owing  to  the  peculiar  relation- 
ship of  the  School  of  Music  to  the  college  in  that  place,  could  not,  under  our  con- 
stitution, form  a  chapter.  Report  accepted.  Motion  carried  to  average  the  expense 
among    the   members. 

Scholarship   Qualifications. 

February    2,    1888. 
Motion   carried    that   hereafter   no   member  be   initiated   without   a   certificate    signed 
by   the  dean   of  the   music   school   that  said  candidate  is   at  least   a   regular    freshman   in 
the  School  of  Music. 

Initiation  of  Mme.  Fanny  Bloom field-Zeisler. 

March  28,   1888. 
First  meeting  of  term  called  to  order  by  Miss  Baker.     Miss  McReynolds  inaugurated 
as  president.      Mme.    Bloomfield  having  accepted   our   invitation   to   become   an   honorary 
member  of  the  Fraternity,  it  was  decided  to  give  her  a  reception  on  the  occasion  of  her 
concert,   April   3.      Invitation    Committee   was   appointed. 


Early  Years 


21 


Resume  of  The  First  Three  Years  of  Alpha  Chapter 
{Vol.  I.     The  Lyre)  June,  iSg4 

The  first  year  was  one  of   enthusiastic   work  and   at   its   close  seventeen 
active  members   were   registered,   l)esides   five   teachers   and   artists   who    had 
been  chosen   as  honorary  members.     A   principal   feature   of   the  work  had 
been  the  musical  and  literary  programs  given 
at  the  weekly  meetings.     The  event  of  the  year 
was    the    Soiree    Musicale.      The    iirst    songs. 
Dear    to    the    Heart    of    Alphas,    and    Alpha 
Prima  were  written. 

Dean  Howe  honored  us  by  dedicating  his 
new  "System  of  Pianoforte  Technicjue."  to 
Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  second  year  the 
attendance  was  considerably  reduced,  but  it 
was  soon  increased  by  new  members.  I'he 
first  anniversary  was  celebrated  at  the  home 
of  Miss  Anna  Allen  of  Greencastle.  This 
social  event,  and  a  reception  which  was 
given  some  weeks  later,  were  occasions  long 
to  be  remembered  by  Alphas.  A  feature  of 
the  work  of  the  year  was  the  preparation  for 
extending  the  organization  to  other  institu- 
tions. No  small  amount  of  time  was  consumed 
in    discussing    rules,    forms    of    charter,    and 

devising  plans  for  making  the  work  interesting  and  effective  at  home,  as  well 
as  for  its  extension. 

Correspondence  with  students  at  Kvanston  seemed  to  promise  the  estab- 
lishment of  our  Beta  Chapter  at  Northwestern  ;  but  the  fates  had  decreed 
otherwise.  The  correspondence  with  Evanston  was  still  in  progres.s,  when 
we  learned  that  a  band  of  students  at  Albion  College  was  awaiting  organiza- 
tion. Delegates  were  sent  at  once,  and  on  June  4,  we  held  a  jubilee  meeting 
to  celebrate  the  establishment  of  Beta  Chapter  of  the  Sorority. 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to  prolong  this  short  history  of  the  Sororitv  through 
the  remaining  years  of  its  existence.  One  of  the  most  pleasant  events  of  the 
third  year  was  the  initiation  of  Madame  Fanny  Bloomfield-Zeisler  to  honor- 
ary membership.  The  girls  were  all  delighted  with  the  genuine  interest  she 
took  in  their  work.  The  reception  given  in  her  honor  was  in  everv  wav  a 
success. 

Mar\   Janet    JJ'i/son.   Seeretary. 


IVIakv    Janet    Wilson,    Alpha 

General    President,     1896-1898 
Editor    The   Lyre,    1897-1900 


The  extension  of  a  fraternity  is  a  vital  matter  which  requires  a  progressive, 
yet  conservative  policy,  well-balanced  judgment,  and  liroad,  loyal  interest 
on  the  part  of  those  already  within  the  fraternity,  especially  of  those  in 
administrative  offices. 


22  The   History  of  Alpha   Chi   Omeiia   Fraternity 

The  matter  of  the  extension  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  deiinitely  considered 
when  the  Fraternity  was  founded,  and  prt)Yision  was  made  in  the  constitution 
for  the  establishment  of  sister  chapters.  According  to  the  ruling  adopted, 
the  first  three  chapters  were  to  be  established  by  the  consent  of  Alpha  after 
which  time,  until  the  creation  of  the  Grand  Council,  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the 
chapters  was  rec]uired  in  order  to  grant  a  charter,  but  with  the  advent  of  this 
governing  body  a  new  system  was  naturally  adopted. 

From  the  time  when  the  organization  had  been  duly  completed,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Mother  Chapter  were  alert  for  a  good  field  for  the  Beta  Chapter. 
After  considerable  inve.stigation  they  had  expected  to  establish  the  second 
chapter  at  Northwestern  University,  but  other  correspondence  with  students 
at  Albion  College  soon  developed  to  such  an  extent  that  Bertha  Deniston 
and  Mary  Jones  were  sent  to  Albion.  Michigan,  where  they  installed  Beta 
Chapter  May  27,  1887. 

Mrs.  Tennant  (Mary  Jones)   writes  of  that  installation: 

When  we  reached  Albion,  though  we  were  tired  from  our  journey,  the  girls  met  us 
with  great  enthusiasm  and  we  were  immediatel}'  conducted  to  the  home  of  Emma  Crit- 
tenden, where  the  initiation  ceremony  was  held  at  once  in  order  that  the  girls  might 
that  very  evening  "surprise  everybody"  by  wearing  Alpha  Chi  Omega  ribbons.  I  have 
always  felt  that  things  were  conducted  with  unseemly  haste,  but  we  were  young  and 
unsophisticated.  That  evening,  immediately  after  the  ceremony,  we  all  attended  a  large 
college  reception  where  the  initiates  received  the  hearty  congratulations  of  their  friends. 
The  next  day  we  indulged  in  drives  and  in  other  pleasures. 

From  that  time  the  two  chapters  worked  together  with  the  idea  of  exten- 
sion, and  Beta  reopened  the  correspondence  with  Professor  Locke.  Director 
of  the  Conservatory  of  Music  at  Northwestern  University,  which  action 
resulted  in  the  establishment  of  Gamma  Chapter  in  that  university  Novem- 
ber 12,  1890.  by  Alta  Roberts  (Alpha)  and  Jean  Whitcomb  (Beta).  Of 
this  installation  Mary  Satterfield  Osgood   ( (iamma )    writes : 

Early  one  cloudy  morning  in  November,  i8qo,  Jean  Whitcomb,  delegate  from  the 
Grand  Chapter  then  at  Albion,  Michigan,  arrived  in   Evanston,  presumably  as  my  guest. 

She  was  made  welcome,  and  the  lyre  she  had  worn  as  a  means  of  recognition  was 
immediately  removed  for  fear  others  might  guess  the  secret  of  her  mission  before  the 
consummation  of  our  plans.  Later,  Alta  Roberts  of  Alpha  appeared  on  the  scene.  Word 
of  their  arrival  was  quickly  passed  among  the  girls,  who  had  long  been  looking  for- 
ward to  this  time,  and  all  was  suppressed  excitement  and  expectation  pending  the 
initiation. 

This  event  for  six  of  the  girls  took  place  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  Saturday, 
November  I2,  1890,  in  the  attic  of  Willard  Hall.  Miss  Whitcomb  and  Miss  Roberts 
made  the  occasion  very  impressive  and  beautiful.  The  seventh  girl,  Mary  Stanford,  sang 
regularly  in  a  church  in  Racine,  Wisconsin,  and  was  necessarily  out  of  town  on  Satur- 
day evening,  so  on  her  return  Monday  morning,  November  14,  she,  too,  was  initiated,  and 
we  six  had  the  pleasure  of  participating  in  our  first  Alpha  Chi  Omega  initiation.  This 
initiation  took  place  at  her  home,  and  thus  was  launched  Gamma  Chapter  of  Alpha 
Chi  Omega. 

Wishing  to  make  known  our  existence,  and  to  make  our  first  public  appearance 
together,  we  went  from  Mary  Stanford's  home  to  the  college,  where  we  attended  noonday 
chapel  in  a  body.  Our  coming  created  sufficient  stir  to  assure  us  our  secret  had  not 
until  now  become  known. 

In  the  evening  Mrs.  Stanford,  who  was  always  our  beloved  and  confidential  friend, 
made  us  welcome  guests  at  her  beautiful  home  on  Lake  Avenue,  where,  in  honor  of 
our  new  organization,  and  as  a  surprise  to  Mary,  she  gave  us  our  initial  banquet.  It 
was  a  beautiful  and  happy  affair.  Marguerites  and  smilax  and  the  colors  scarlet  and 
olive  green,  decorated  the  table.  The  evening  was  delightfully  spent  with  music  and 
gaiety. 


"  1  s 


pj      n 


-    '-^    o 


itrs-  M 


n  n>  : 


Si- 

3  H 


EmH 


Charter  Members  of  Gamma,  1890 
^faude   Walker  Mae    Burdick  Mary   Satterfield   Osgood  Mary    Stanford 

Lottie   Stine   Casper  Janet   Marshall   Weller  La   Piatt   Sabin 


Charter  Mf.mrers  of  Delta,  1891 
Ruby   Krick   Evans  Fern   Pickard   Stevens  Elizabeth   Tate   Wilson 

Etta   May  Tinker 
Antoinette  Snyder   P>ro\vn  Zannie    Tate    Osgood  Ella    P.redin    Robinson 


26  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Ganima  immediately  shared  the  responsibility  of  extension  work  by  sug- 
gesting, within  a  month  after  her  installation,  Allegheny  College,  Meadv'ille, 
Pa.,  as  a  prospective  home  for  a  chapter  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  The  inves- 
tigation was  carried  on  by  Mary  Satterfield  (Gamma)  through  correspon- 
dence with  her  cousins.  Zannie  and  Elizabeth  Tate,  both  of  whom  were  stu- 
dents in  Allegheny  College,  with  the  result  that  Delta  Chapter  was  installed 
in  Allegheny  College,  January  29,  1891,  by  Libbie  Price  (Alpha)  and  Mary 
Satterfield  (Gamma).  The  birth  of  Delta  Chapter  is  described  by  Antoi- 
nette Snyder  Brown  as  follows : 

The  real  story  of  Delta  Chapter  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  had  its  setting  in  the  old 
college  town  of  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  and  dates  from  a  meeting  of  musical  students 
in  January,  1891,  at  the  home  of  Zannie  and  Elizabeth  Tate  to  meet  Libbie  Price 
and  Mary  Satterfield. 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  this  meeting  was  entirely  impromptu.  It  had  been 
known  for  a  long  time  among  those  who  formed  this  inner  circle  that  fateful  letters 
had  been  passing  between  Miss  Tate  and  Miss  Satterfield ;  and  mysterious,  quiet  dis- 
cussions had  been  going  on  among  the  members  of  this  group,  but  no  hint  of  what  it 
meant  had  filtered  to  the  outer  world. 

Miss  Price  and  Miss  Satterfield  were  both  charming  girls,  and  we  who  were  invited 
to  meet  them  seemed  to  pass  their  inspection.  On  that  very  morning,  in  a  gracious 
and  dignified  way,  we  seven  girls  were  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega, 
and  Delta  Chapter  began  its  eventful  life. 

After  the  ceremony,  a  delightful  luncheon  was  served  by  the  Misses  Tate,  the  first 
of  many  Alpha  Chi  functions  in  their  hospitable  home.  It  then  remained  to  proclaim 
our  existence  to  the  other  fraternities.  On  the  next  morning,  in  a  body,  we  attended 
chapel  at  Allegheny  College.  Whether  we  were  to  be  received  as  Greeks,  indeed,  01 
were  to  be  held  aloof  as  a  presumptuous  lot  of  barbarians,  we  knew  not.  It  proved, 
however,  that  the  Greeks  rose  to  the  occasion  and  at  once  accepted  us  as  a  part  of  the 
Greek   world. 

The    establishment    of    Beta,    Gamma,    and    Delta    Chapters,    only,    are 

described  here  because  they  belong  to  practically  tlie  first  five  years  of  the 

life  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 


CHAPTER  IV 

EXPANSION  INTO  STATE  UNIVERSITIES  AS  A  GENERAL 
FRATERNITY  WITH  MUSICAL  TRADITIONS 

In  1898  Alpha  Chi  Omega  entered  the  University  of  Michigan,  probably 
the  strongest  of  the  state  universities,  at  that  time,  both  in  its  work  for  the 
women — and  for  the  men — students.  At  the  same  time  she  stepped  into  a 
new  phase  of  her  life,  into  greater  \-irilitv  and  power  commensurate  with  the 
prestige,  scholarly  attaimnents,  generous  ecjuipment,  and  vigorous  idealism  of 
the  western  state  university.  Henceforward,  with  but  one  exception  (Syracuse 
University,  with  4,000  students).  Alpha  Chi  Omega  placed  new  chapters  only 
in  the  progressive  educational  institutions  west  of  the  Alleghanies,  as  follows : 

0.  1898;  I,  1899;  K,  1903;  A.  1906;  M,  N,  E,  1907;  O,  1908;  n,  1909; 
P,  1910;  2,  1911;  T,  1912;  Y,  1913;  ^,  1914;  X,  1915;  *,  O,  1916. 

As  there  is  nothing  in  American  political  history  parallel  to  the  tremen- 
dous development  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  its  phenomenal  effects  upon 
national  life,  so  there  has  been  nothing  in  American  educational  history  equal 
to  the  development  and  success  of  the  western  state  institutions.  Likewise, 
no  chapter  in  the  history  of  fraternities  for  women  is  so  bright  or  so  impor- 
tant as  that  which  portrays  their  entrance  and  their  happy  growth  in  these 
remarkable  universities  and  colleges. 

Out  of  seventeen  institutions  entered  by  Alpha  Chi  Omega  during  the 
eighteen  year  period,  1898-1916,  only  five  of  these  were  not  state-supported. 
In  the  west  (at  Oberlin)  coeducation  had  been  tested  early  and  proved  a 
success  ;  and  Horace  Mann's  theory  that  the  public  should  educate  its  young 
men  and  young  women  in  the  same  institution  to  avoid  duplication  of 
expense,  and  to  insure  sufhciency  of  funds  for  development  on  a  large  scale, 
had  been  triumphantly  tested,  also,  by  the  time  that  Alpha  Chi  Omega  first 
entered  a  state  university.  Another  fact  which  prepared  the  wav  for  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  was  that  traditions  of  masculine  superioritv.  and  of  scepticism 
concerning  the  mental  capacity  or  the  social  desirability  of  college  women, 
had  not  become  nearly  as  entrenched  in  these  wide-awake  western  institutions 
as  in  the  eastern  universities  for  men.  It  was  natural  and  sane,  in  the  eyes 
of  the  West,  to  continue,  during  the  few  years  of  college  education,  the 
previous  social  relation  between  the  sexes  in  the  public  school,  which  would 
inevitably  be  renewed,  at  any  rate,  after  college  days.  With  the  rapid 
improvement  of  the  transportation  facilities  in  the  last  quarter  of  the  nine- 
teenth century,  the  pressure  upon  a  young  woman  to  study  at  an  adjacent 
though  inferior  academy  fortunately  was  removed.  It  was  no  longer  a  hard- 
ship to  travel  to  the  seat  of  one's  state  university,  or  an  impossibility  to  return 
home  two  or  three  times  a  year  during  holidays. 

Still  another  condition  existed  to  contribute  to  the  jjrosperity  of  the  women's 
fraternities  at  the  western  colleges.  That  was  the  genuine  need  for  just 
sucli  orgam'zations.      'I'lie  fraternity  system  liad  become  recognized,  Ioulc  ago. 


28 


The   HisioRV  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 


in  college  traditions,  as  the  basis  of  the  college  social  life  of  leading  men. 
The  men  were  grouped  pleasantly  into  fraternities  and  clubs.  Their  club- 
houses were  their  living  centers.  The  universities  themselves  were  too 
extensive  and  their  life  too  complex,  by  the  close  of  the  nineteenth  century, 
to  lUM-mit  the  women  to  find  their  places  readily  and  happily  in  the  multi- 


DoE   Memorial  Library,   Uxiversity  of  California 


tude.  Their  social  adjustments  with  l)0th  the  men  and  the  women  students, 
as  well  as  their  mental  adjustments  to  the  curriculum,  demanded  the  advice 
and  close  companionship  of  other  and  more  experienced  fellow-students. 
This  boon  could  be  secured  only  by  selection  and  organization.  Such  selec- 
tion is  omnipresent  in  educational  centers  as  in  all  human  associations. 
Exuberance  of  youthfulness,  capacity  for  friendship  and  the  need  for  it,  and 


Expansion    into   State    I'NivKRsrriES  29 

the  limitations  placed  upon  social   intercourse  by   the  exigencies  of   serious 
study  make  grouping  into  close  intimacy  desirable. 

Combined  with  the  pitiful  inadequacy  of  the  dormitory  eciuipment  of  most 
institutions,  these  conditions  attracted  many  of  the  finest  feminine  students  into 
fraternity  circles.  The  students'  point  of  view  in  this  matter  was  expressed,  a 
decade  ago,  by  a  young  woman  of  one  of  the  great  universities,  in  The  Lyre 
(Volume  IX,  page  123).  "The  chapter  house,"  said  she,  "with  its  abun- 
dance of  character-developing  discipline,  is  by  far  the  most  sheltered  and 
desirable  home  for  girls  that  there  is  at  Illinois  and  many  of  the  other 
universities  where  there  are  no  dormitories  for  girls.  I,  who  have  lived 
ill  it  as  a  sister,  love  it  second  only  to  my  own  home."  Excej^t  for  fraternities 
c-ind  clubs  no  such  wholesome  living  conditions  could  be  possible  for  more 
than  about  eight  and  one-third  per  cent  of  the  women  at  the  following 
group  of  institutions :  Syracuse  University.  University  of  Iowa,  Univer- 
sity of  Nebraska,  Albion  College,  University  of  Illinois,  Baker  University. 
De  Pauw  University,  University  of  California.  University  of  Wisconsin, 
James  Millikin  University,  and  Simpson  College.  The  University  of  Cali- 
fornia, for  instance,  with  2,.S00  women  students,  has  no  university  hall 
of  residence;  University  of  Illinois,  with  1,200  women,  is  now  planning 
its  first  dormitory,  to  accommodate  200.  The  University  of  Wisconsin, 
with  from  1,500  to  2,000  women,  have  living  accommodations  for  266.  Iowa, 
with  about  1,000  women,  can  house  170.  Of  the  11,500  women  estimated 
in  these  twelve  institutions  in  1916,  for  only  1,011  of  them  do  their  x^lma 
Maters  find  it  possible  to  provide  halls  of  residence.  These  twelve  colleges 
were  selected  as  representative  of  living  conditions.  The  other  universities 
possess  similarly  inadequate  housing  of  their  women  students. 

The  time  was  ripe  in  every  way  for  Alpha  Chi  Omega  to  enter  the  well- 
tested  field  of  the  western  state  university.  The  origin  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
had  been  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  where  her  first  three  chapters  had  been 
placed  in  denominational  colleges  of  high  ideals  and  high  standards, 
De  Pauw  University,  Albion  College,  and  Northwestern  University.  She 
was  already  firmly  entrenched  in  the  region.  From  the  Mississippi  Valley 
she  had  extended  to  Pennsylvania  ;  from  Pennsylvania  to  California ;  from 
California  to  Massachu.setts ;  from  Massachusetts  to  Pennsylvania  again, 
and  thence  back  to  the  Mississippi  Valley  where  the  second  chapter  in  the 
State  of  Michigan  was  installed  at  the  University  of  Michigan,  Ann  Arbor, 
on  November  19,   1898. 

Because  of  the  varied  opportunities  of  these  institutions  the  members  of 
the  three  chapters  therein,  Theta,  Iota,  and  Kappa,  carried  greatly  diversi- 
fied courses, — music,  literary  courses,  library  training,  and  scientific  courses 
of  several  kinds.  A  large  proportion  of  the  members  of  Theta  Chapter  have 
been  in  the  liberal  arts  departments.  Because  the  musical  requirements  of 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  had  always  been  most  flexible,  the  university  chapters,  in 
the  midst  of  college  communities  where  the  liberal  arts  received  far  greater 
emphasis  and  support  than  the  fine  arts,  laid  less  stress  upon  musicianship 
than  had  the  earlier  chaiittrs  which  had  been  huMted  in  colleges  more  distinctly 


30 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraterxity 


cultural  than  the  great  universities.  IJterary  and  scientific  interests  were  on  a 
par  in  these  chapters  with  the  musical  interests  in  curriculum  work,  and  in 
frequent  instances  exceeded  them  ;  although  all  students  shared  in  an  appre- 
ciation of  music  as  an  art.  On  the  ^vhole,  the  liberal  and  fine  arts  courses  pur- 
sued by  the  chapters  were  harmoniously  balanced  during  the  period  1896-1906. 
In  the  period  preceding  at  least  four  of  the  seven  chapters  ( Gamma,  Delta, 
Epsilon,  Zeta)  contained  more  interest  in  the  study  of  music  than  in  litera- 
ture and  science.  In  1906  the  pendulum  had  swung,  it  seems,  to  the  other 
limit,  and  the  major  work  of  active  members  was  decidedly  in  literature  and 
science,  rather  than  in  the  fine  arts. 

In  the  follow- 
ing year    (1899) 
the  second   chap- 
ter in  the  state  of 
Illinois  was 
founded     at     the 
University  of  Illi- 
nois,    Champaign. 
Alpha   Chi    Omega 
was  the  fourth  wo- 
men's   fraternity    to 
enter  Illinois,  having 
been  preceded  by 
Kappa  Alpha  Theta, 
Pi      Beta      Phi,      and 
Kappa  Kappa  Gamma. 
The    chapter    was    in- 
stalled at   the  home  of 
the  president  of  the  uni- 
versity   whose    daughter 
was  a  charter  member  of 
the    group.       Four    years 
later    the    third    of    these 
greatest  of  state  universities 
Extension      \         \    \     /     V      '  7      ^^'^^    entered    with    the    in- 

OF  Alpha   Chi   \  )     ^X""K      \j!\jJ^kJ       stallation   of  Kappa  Chap- 

Omega    in    the   \ i  jr-—^'^^^^^\\U       ^^^  ^^  ^^^^  Uulversity  of  Wis- 

Mississippi  V 3^rfS2'^L4-4Hf      consin,   Madison,  Wisconsin. 

Valley    1898- 191 6      »"^ — ' — ' — '      "^    ^      1      i     1  '  ' 


We  mentioned  .the  decade,  1896-1906,  as  harmoniously  balanced  between 
liberal  arts  and  fine  arts  interests  ;  but  the  parity  was  only  theoretical  toward 
the  close  of  the  period.     The  tendency  was  unmistakably,  even  then,  in  favor 


Expansion    into   State    Universiiiks  31 

of  the  liberal  arts  in  every  chapter  except  two,  Gamma  and  Zeta.  It  was 
only  with  the  exercise  of  considerable  leniency  and  by  continued  flexibility 
that  the  division  of  active  interests,  long  before  the  year  1906,  could  be  pro- 
nounced an  equipoise.  There  was  no  prejudice  toward  music  study  on  the 
part  of  universitv  women  ;  the  value  and  beauty  of  the  two  arts  in  juxta- 
position was  appreciated.  Music  students  were  rushed  enthusiastically  by 
the  various  fraternities. 

The  explanation  of  the  decrease  in  members  who  studied  music  as  a  part 
of  their  university  curriculum  lay  in  the  fact  that  little  emphasis  was  laid 
on  the  music  department  by  the  uni\ersity  ;  the  state  a|)propriations  were 
devoted  to  more  "useful"  ends. 

In  the  convention  of  1908.  national  action  recognized  that  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  Fraternity  should  be  amended  to  meet  more  nearly  the  actual 
condition  throughout  the  country.  The  requirement,  consequently,  was 
changed  so  that  no  longer  was  it  true  that  two-thirds  of  the  members  of 
each  chapter  were  expected  either  to  be  connected  with  the  school  of  music 
or  to  have  linished  at  some  time  in  the  past  a  definite  amount  of  serious  music 
study.  In  the  future  but  half  of  the  members,  it  was  required,  should  be 
doing  or  should  have  completed  at  some  time  a  certain  amount  of  serious 
music  study.  Henceforth,  and  for  some  time  preceding  this  legislation,  we  shall 
say  that  Alpha  Chi  ( )mega  has  been  predominately  a  liberal  arts  fraternity. 
In  1915  convention  action,  again  recognizing  by  legislation  the  actual  condi- 
tion of  the  educational  field,  legislated  the  removal  of  all  stated  requirements 
as  to  division  of  membership  between  the  liberal  arts  and  the  fine  arts.  With- 
out the  faintest  danger  of  misunderstanding  from  any  quarter,  as  a  result  of  the 
1915  constitutional  revision.  Alpha  Chi  Omega  considers  herself  a  general 
fraternity  with  musical  traditions.  And  such  she  should  have  been  called, 
in  the  light  of  the  actual  facts,  from  the  date  of  her  origin. 


CHAPTER  V 

PRESENT  SCOPE 

Alpha  Chi  Omega  has  chapters  in  twenty-three  of  the  strongest  and  finest 
educational  institutions  in  America,  well  distributed  over  the  continent.  Her 
expansion  has  been  conservative  and  unhurried.  Rather  than  place  chapters 
unwisely  or  prematurely,  the  Fraternity  has  refused  scores  of  invitations  to 
enter  institutions  of  which  either  the  petitioning  group  or  the  curriculum  did 
not  meet  the  comprehensive  requirements  of  the  exten.sion  policy.  At  the  last 
convention,  for  instance,  there  were  reported,  of  nineteen  petitions  received,  but 
three  new  chapters  established.  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  as  a  result  of  this  con- 
servatism, has  but  one  defunct  chapter ;  her  internal  organization,  moreover, 
is  unusually  well  ordered  and  effective  so  that  the  Fraternity  may  be  able  to 
guide  and  develop,  in  the  best  possible  manner,  old  and  new  chapters  alike. 
In  the  thirty-one  years  of  her  life,  the  nomenclature  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
has  appropriated  the  whole  of  the  (ireek  alphabet ;  yet  we  feel  that  she  is, 
perhaps,  but  beginning  the  greatest  phase  of  her  existence. 

Excellence  in  academic  work  has  been  stressed  as  of  great  importance. 
High  scholarship  has  been  sought  for  consistently.  Many  chapters  rank 
second  and  third  in  scholarship  averages  among  the  women's  fraternities  of 
their  respective  colleges.  All  chapters  do  creditable  intellectual  work;  many 
achieve  brilliant  records.  The  following  list  of  chapters  gaining  highest  rank 
among  the  fraternities  in  the  same  colleges  shows  that  local  chapters  attain 
verv  high  scholarship. 
1911-12:     Sigma,   University   of   Iowa 

Pi,   University  of  California 
1912-13:      Epsilon,  Universitv  of  Soutlitrn  California 

Mu,  Simpson  College   (tied  with  IT  B  4>) 

Omicron.   Baker   University 

Sigma,    University  of   Iowa 
1913-14:     Alpha,   De  Pauw   University 

Mu,  Simpson  College 

Omicron.    Baker   Ihiiversity 
1914-15:     Alpha,  De  Pauw   Iniversity 

Epsilon,  University  of  Southern  California 

Omicron,  Baker  University 

Mu,  Simpson  College 

Tau,  Brenau  College 
1915-16:     Alpha,    De   Pauw    I'niversity 

Mu,  Simpson  College 

Omicron,  Baker  University 

Tau,  Brenau  College 

Chi,   Oregon  State  College 


34 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 


Alpha  Chapter.  h)cated  at  l)e  Pauw  University,  Greencastle.  Indiana, 
\vas  founded  October  13,  1885.  There  were  seven  charter  members:  Anna 
Allen,  Olive  Burnett,  Bertha  Deniston,  Amy  DuBois,  Nellie  Ciamble,  Bessie 
Grooms,  K.stelle  Leonard.  Although  she  received  a  proposition  to  become  a 
part  of  another  national  fraternity  in  1889,  Alpha  bravely  shouldered  the 
heavy  burdens  of  her  position  as  mother  chapter  of  a  new  fraternity.  Her 
history  for  many  years  is  the  history  of  the  organization.  In  1899  Alpha 
entered  the  chapter  house  at  408  Elm  Street  which  she  still  occupies.  She 
was  the  third  women's  fraternity  to  enter  De  Pauw,  Kappa  Alpha  Theta 
having  been  founded  there  in  1870,  and  Kappa  Kappa  Camma  having  pre- 
ceded Alpha  Chi  Omega  by  ten  years.     The  attainments  of  the  individuals  of 


Home  of  Alpha  Chapter,  De  Pauw  University,  Greencastle,  Ind. 


Alpha  and  other  chapters  may  best  be  traced  elsewhere  in  the  records  of 
distinguished  members.  Alpha  has  a  total  membership  of  378.  She  has  the 
record  of  entertaining  the  national  conventions  of  1891,  1897,  and  1906. 
Founders'  Day  celebration,  alumnse  reunion,  and  the  state  banquet  at  Indian- 
apolis are  annual  festivities  of  great  importance. 

Beta  Chapter  was  established  on  INIay  27,  1887,  by  Mary  Jones  and 
Bertha  Deniston  from  Alpha.  The  charter  members  were  Flora  Adgate, 
Emma  Crittenden,  Florinne  Defendorf,  Harriet  Reynolds.  Elizabeth  Smith, 
and  Jennie  Worthington.  The  meetings  of  the  chapter  were  held  at  the 
homes  of  members  until  September,  1888,  when  a  hall  on  the  third  floor  of  one 
of  the  college  buildings  was  granted  to  the  chapter  for  a  fraternity  hall.  This 
served  as  a  meeting  place  until  October.   1895,  when  a  new  five-room  brick 


I'kksi:n  r   Scope 


35 


Beta's   Lodge,   Albion   College,   Albion,   Mich. 

lodge  was  built.  This  lodgt  is  still  owned  and  used  by  the  chapter  for 
fraternity  functions  and  meetings.  In  1887  Beta  gave  an  entertainment  with 
Pi  Chapter  of  Kappa  Alpha  Theta.  The  next  year  but  one.  however,  she 
began  her  series  of  amiual  concerts  which  have  been  a  unique  feature  in 
Beta's  history.  Until  1908  an  admission  fee  was  charged,  and  the  proceeds 
used  for  furnishings  for  the  lodge.  In  1915.  by  faculty  consent,  admission 
was  asked  once  more,  this  time  for  the  benelit  of  the  local  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Beta 
was  the  second  fraternity  to  enter  Albion  College.  She  has  initiated  241 
girls.  Her  philanthropy,  during  recent  years,  has  been  directed  most  par- 
ticularly toward  the  Starr  Commonwealth,  a  home  for  so-called  incorrigible 
bovs.    founded    near    Albion    by    Mr.    and    Mrs.    Floyd    A.    Starr     (Harriet 


Al.l'IlA   Cm    MOTHEK   AND    DAUGHTER 

Belle   Miller  Townsend.   Beta,   1888;   Mildred   Lorene  Townsend, 
Beta 


36 


TiiK  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


Armstrong,  B).     This  chapter  has  furnished  tliree  national  presidents  to  the 
Fraternity. 

Gamma  Chapter  was  established  at  Northwestern  University,  Evanston, 
Illinois,  November  14,  1890,  by  Alta  Roberts  (Alpha)  and  Jean  Whitcomb 
(Beta).  The  charter  members  were  Lizzine  Stine,  Mae  Burdick,  Mary  Stan- 
ford, Mary  Satterfield,  Mary  Walker,  Lulu  Piatt,  and  Jeanette  Marshall. 
Since  no  women's  fraternity  houses  are  permitted  at  Northwestern,  Gamma 
Chapter  held  the  weekly  meetings  in  different  rooms  in  the  Woman's  Build- 
ing until  April  1,  1895,  when  a  room  was  rented  in  the  Hotel  Monnett.  For 
several  years  the  chapter  has  had  a  room  on  the  fourth  floor  of  Willard  Hall, 
where  other  fraternity  rooms  are  likewise  situated.  Gamma  has  initiated  235 
members. 


An  Alpha   Chi   Mother  and   Daughter 

Mayme   Allen    Ambrose;     Doris   Ambrose,    Gamma 


Delta  Chapter,  Allegheny  College,  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  was  founded 
January  29,  1891,  by  Mary  Satterfield  (Gamma)  and  Libbie  Price  (Alpha). 
Mrs.  Zannie  Tate  Osgood  says:  "I  am  sure  no  girls  since  could  have  had  better 
or  happier  times  than  we  did.  I  was  the  first  girl  in  Meadville  to  know  about 
the  founding  of  a  new  chapter  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  My  cousin,  Mary 
Satterfield  ( Gamma) ,  wrote  to  me  asking  me  to  found  a  chapter  at  Allegheny 
and  the  Meadville  Conservatory  of  Music  which  were  affiliated  at  that  time." 
After  the  work  of  organization  and  initiation  came  the  welcome  from  the 
other  Greeks  and  the  college  who  welcomed  the  new  chapter  at  chapel  with 
the  Chautauqua  salute,  and  later  by  receptions  and  teas. 

For  the  first  two  years  the  chapter  held  its  meetings  in  a  small  room  in 
the  Conservatory  building,  but  in  1894  the  third  floor  of  the  same  building 
was  secured  by  the  chapter  and  turned  into  a  very  unique  room,  which  was 
occupied  by  the  chapter  for  seven  years.  Of  this  hall  a  member  writes:  "I 
wonder  if  girls  could  ever  enjoy  a  fraternity  room  more  than  we  did  the  one 


Present  Scope 


37 


in  tlie  rambling  old  attic  of  the  Conservatory  building,  with  its  walls  and 
ceiling  hung  with  matting,  witli  oriental  lamps  suspended  from  the  gables, 
and  the  pretty  rugs,  screens,  and  pictures."  In  the  fall  of  1901  a  room  was 
secured  in  the  Mosier  building  on  Chestnut  Street,  where  the  chapter  met 
until  1906  w'hen  a  suite  of  rooms  was  fitted  up  on  Highland  Avenue,  and  since 
the  fall  of  1908  the  chapter  has  occupied  a  beautiful  suite  of  rooms  in  Hul- 
ings  Hall.  It  is  a  strange  coincidence  that,  starting  as  she  did  on  the  campus 
with  seven  charter  members.  Delta,  in  her  twenty-six  years  of  existence,  and 
her  202  members,  has  maintained  an  average  of  seven  initiates  a  year.  The 
number  of  Delta  members  who  have  died  within  these  twenty-six  years  is  also 
seven.  The  social  traditions  of  the  chapter  are  very  interesting.  One  Satur- 
day evening  a  month  is  called  "alumna-  night,"  the  resident  alumna.'  being 
guests  of  honor  at  a  business  and  social  meeting.     Delta  celebrates  the  liirtli- 


DeI  TA's    FkATEKMrV    ]\\IA 

day  of  the  chapter  as  well  as  that  of  the  national  organization.  During  com- 
mencement week  all  the  fraternities  hold  banc^uets  the  evening  before 
commencement.  In  May  of  each  year  a  Panhellenic  banquet  of  the  women's 
fraternities  is  held.  In  August  a  mid-vacation  reunion  of  members  has  been 
held  at  Conneaut  Lake  since  1907. 

Epsilon  Chapter  was  established  at  the  University  of  Southern  California, 
Los  Angeles,  June  16,  1895,  as  a  result  of  correspondence  started  through 
the  efforts  of  two  Sigma  Chis,  who  recommended  this  university  as  a  promis- 
ing field  for  a  chapter  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  and  at  the  same  time  directed  the 
members  of  a  local  club  how  to  organize  and  to  petition  for  the  national 
charter.  The  charter  members  were :  Louise  Davis,  Lulu  Johns.  Cornelia 
Keep,  Flora  Parker,  and  Bertie  Phelps.  After  1898,  the  university,  owing 
to  financial  difiiculties,  did  not  flourish  for  some  years.  Delta  (iamma  and 
Kappa  Alpha  Theta  withdrew  their  charters.     In  1898,  Epsilon.  after  initial- 


38 


'riiK    Hlsl()R^    OF  Ai.i'HA   C"hi   Omega   Fraternity 


ing  fourteen  ineinbcrs  in  the  three  years  of  her  activity,  became  dormant, 
remaining  so  until  the  fall  of  1905.  During  this  time,  however,  meetings 
with  musical  and  literary  programs  were  enjoyed  so  that  the  town  members 
did  not  drift  apart.  In  October,  1905,  several  students  eager  to  organize  a 
fraternity  consulted  with  Dean  Walter  F.  Skeele,  who,  knowing  that  our  fra- 
ternity had  existed  there,  advised  them  to  interview  Louise  Davis  Van  Cleve. 
The  result  was  that  after  an  investigation  by  the  Grand  Council,  Epsilon 
Chapter  was  reestablished  October  30,  1905,  six  alumnae  initiating  the  follow- 
ing members:  Maude  Hawley,  Carrie  McMillan.  Carrie  Trowbridge,  Essie 
Neff,  Erna  Reese,  and  Flora  Barron,  the  service  being  conducted  by  Mrs. 
Van   Cleve. 


Home  of  Epsilon  Chapter,  University  of  Southern  California,  Los  Angei.es,  Cal. 


The  chapter  has  flourished  with  the  splendid  development  of  the  univer- 
sity. In  1909  Epsilon  entered  a  chapter  house  which  has  always  been  a  source 
of  enjoyment  to  her  nitmbers.  The  enthusiasm  which  marked  its  establish- 
ment has  never  waned  in  spite  of  the  difficulties  which  attend  the  maintenance 
of  a  chapter  house  in  a  city  university.  Annual  afifairs  of  interest  are  the 
annual  benefit  musicale,  given  with  Delta  Delta  Chapter,  for  the  Children's 
Hospital  in  Los  Angeles,  the  entertainment  of  the  Burnt  Cork  Comedy  Club 
at  supper  after  their  annual  performance,  the  Freshman  Tea,  the  Christmas 
Shower  by  the  alumnae,  and  an  original  contribution  of  some  kind  at  the  May 
Festival  of  the  University.    The  total  membership  of  Epsilon  is  118. 


Fkkskn  I    Sloim:  39 

Zeta  Chapter  was  installed  in  the  New  l^ngland  Conservatory  of  Music, 
Boston,  Massachusetts.  December  13.  1S95.  The  chapter  was  not  a  local,  and 
the  charter  was  obtained  through  the  efforts  of  Barbara  Strickler,  (iamma, 
who  was  studying  in  the  Conservatory  at  that  time,  and  of  Belle  Sigourney. 
The  installing  delegates  were  Mary  Janet  Wilson  and  Mildred  Rutledge, 
both  of  Alpha. 

Zeta  Chapter  gives  an  annual  public  musicale  in  Jordan  Hall,  the  mem- 
bers taking  entire  charge.  The  faculty,  other  fraternities,  and  friends  are 
invited.  A  formal  dance  is  given  every  year,  usually  at  Riverbank  Court, 
Cambridge.  In  the  spring  a  luncheon  is  held  at  the  Hotel  Vendome,  honor- 
ary, alumnie.  and  associate  members  being  invited.  Numerous  teas,  informal 
evenings,  and  picnics,  occur  during  the  year.  Zeta  Chapter  has  initiated  216 
members.  She  has  given  to  the  Fraternity,  among  other  national  officers,  a 
national  president,  and  two  Editors  of  The  Lyre.  Her  membership  is  remark- 
ably cosmopolitan,  being  drawn  from  all  sections  of  America.  Many  dis- 
tinguished musicians,  as  will  be  seen  later,  have  come  from  Zeta's  ranks. 
Although  she  is  the  only  chapter  which  is  distinctly  musical.  Zeta's  interests 
are  unified  with  those  of  the  other  chapters  in  a  truly  fraternal  spirit.  She 
has  shown  much  interest  in  war-relief  by  extending  her  Hera  Day  service 
through  the  year  by  the  adoption  of  two  French  war  orphans.  Y.  W.  C.  A. 
has  just  been  established  in  the  Conservatory,  and  Zeta  Chapter  is  interested 
therein. 

Eta  Chapter  was  established  at  Bucknell  University,  Lewisburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, June  16,  1898,  the  ceremonies  being  conducted  by  Mildred  Rutledge, 
Alpha.  Unfortunately,  the  chapter  had  but  a  short  existence  owing  to  a 
faculty  ruling  for  sophomore  pledging,  which  was  passed  soon  after  Eta's 
installation  and  with  which  the  new  chapter  found  it  difficult  to  comply. 
Consetiuently  the  chapter  became  inactive  June.  1899;  in  the  hope  that  the 
chapter  might  be  revived  the  charter  was  left  until  March.  1904,  when  't 
was  recalled.     This  is  the  only  dead  chapter  on  the  roll  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

Charter  members:  Belle  Bartol.  Amy  Cilbert.  Jessie  Steiner,  Mary  Wood, 
Ida  List.     The  total  membership  :  five. 

Theta  Chapter  was  installed  at  the  University  of  Michigan.  Ann  Arbor, 
Michigan,  November  19,  1898.  through  the  influence  of  Hortense  Osmun 
Miller,  Beta,  a  resident  of  Ann  Arbor.  The  installing  delegates  were  Ethel 
Calkins,  Jennie  Dickinson,  and  Mrs.  Miller,  assisted  by  Ada  Dickie.  Lina 
Baum,  Kate  Calkins,  all  of  Beta  Chapter. 

Charter  members :  \\'inifred  Bartholomew,  Lydia  Condon,  Alberta 
Daniels,  Virginia  Fiske,  Flora  Koch,  Rachael  McKensie.  and  Florence 
Spence.     The  total  membership  is  212. 

In  the  fall  of  1899,  Theta  occupied  as  her  first  home  a  house  on  Monroe 
Street.  The  beginning  of  the  next  year,  a  house  was  rented  on  Forest  Ave- 
nue near  the  campus.  .\  house  was  next  taken  on  Wilmot  Street,  and  in 
1902  another  change  was  made  to  Tappan  Street,  where  the  chapter  remained 
only  one  year.  In  the  fall  of  l')03  they  moved  back  to  Wilmot  Street,  where 
thev    remained    until    1903.      A    delightful    liome    was    then    secured    on    the 


40  The  History  of  Alpha   Chi  Omega   Fraternity 

corner  of  Lawrence  and  Ingals  Streets,  which  was  the  home  of  the  chapter 
until  June,  1916,  when  it  was  giYcn  up  for  the  new  house. 

Theta  is  one  of  the  first  chapters  to  build  a  home  of  her  own.  The  lot 
is  located  on  the  corner  of  Cambridge  Road  and  Olivia  Avenue,  one  of  the 
best  residence  sections  of  Ann  Arbor.  Work  on  the  building  was  begun  in  the 
summer  of  1916.  plans  having  been  made  to  occupy  the  second  and  third 
floors  at  the  beginning  of  the  college  year  in  October. 

Theta  holds  meetings  every  Monday  evening  during  the  college  year  at 
seven  o'clock.  In  her  new  home  a  large  room  was  provided  for  this  purpose 
in  the  basement  of  the  house.  At  first  the  meetings  were  almost  entirely  of 
a  business  nature.  Carrying  out  the  plan  suggested  by  Mrs.  Tennant,  of 
having  programs  and  of  interesting  the  alumnae,  an  open  meeting  is  held  once 
a  month.  On  this  occasion  a  well-prepared  program  Ls  given,  in  which  the 
alumUce  are  the  chief  performers,  immediatelv  following  a  period  set  aside 
for  business.  The  plan  has  proved  so  satisfactory  that  the  chapter  has 
adopted  it  permanently. 

During  the  year  Theta  gives  two  formal  and  several  informal  affairs. 
The  fall  initiation  is  held  late  in  the  afternoon  and  is  followed  by  a,  banquet 
to  which  alumnae  and  patronesses  are  invited.  Each  fall  an  informal  dance 
is  given  in  honor  of  the  freshman  members,  while  in  May  a  formal  dance  is 
given  in  the  chapter  house,  and  several  informal  dances  are  given  on  differ- 
ent occasions  throughout  the  year.  Theta  also  holds  an  annual  Christmas 
party  at  which  active  members,  alumnae,  and  alumnae  children  are  present. 
All  dress  as  children  and  each  receives  a  gift  from  the  Christmas  tree.  In  the 
spring  a  series  of  "At  Homes"  is  given  to  the  wives  of  the  faculty  members, 
mothers,  alumnae,  and  other  friends  of  the  chapter.  Wednesday  night  is 
known  as  faculty  night,  a  few  of  the  professors  and  their  wives  being  enter- 
tained at  dinner  each  week,  thus  giving  the  chapter  opportunity  to  know  the 
faculty  outside  of  the  classroom.  At  Sunday  night  lunch  all  pledges  and 
members  living  outside  the  house  enjov  a  few  hours  with  the  house  girls. 

Besides  teas  and  dances  given  in  honor  of  'visiting  alumnae  and  friends, 
each  girl  who  wishes  to  announce  her  engagement  gives  an  announcement 
dinner  to  the  active  members.  In  our  new  home  there  is  a  special  room  known 
as  the  "alumnae  room,"  where  Theta's  alumnic  are  always  welcome  to  spend  a 
night  with  the  house  girls.  A  cummon  custom  which  Theta  has  adopted  in 
recent  vears  is  that  of  keeping  a  guestbook.  in  which  many  interesting  com- 
ments are  Avritten  by  those  whom  Theta  has  entertained.  In  addition  to  a 
graduating  present  given  to  each  of  the  senior  girls,  the  house  holds  a  dinner 
and  dance  in  their  honor  and  gives  them  flowers.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
seniors  present  the  house  with  a  gift,  usually  some  suitable  household  article. 
Such  a  gift  is  also  given  by  the  newly  initiated  members  each  year.  The  chap- 
ter sends  a  .spoon  to  each  new  Theta  baby,  as  soon  as  the  announcement  is 
received. 

In  the  matter  of  philanthropies,  Theta  observes  Hera  Day  by  doing  some- 
thing for  the  poor  children  of  the  city.  Until  the  past  few  years,  however, 
the  girls  have  always  given  a  musical  entertainment  at  the  Old  Ladies'  Home 


I'rkskn  r   Scoi'E 


41 


of  Ann  Arl)()r.  Every  year  Tlieta  ijirls  assist  the  ladies'  Hospital  Associa- 
tion in  their  annual  ''TaL;  Daw"'  the  jiroceeds  of  wliich  are  ,u;;ven  toward  the 
ujjkeep  of  the  Children's  Hospital.  At  Christmas  the  chapter  aids  the  V.  W. 
C.  A.  in  filling  stockings  for  the  poor  children  of  the  city. 

Iota  Chapter  was  installed  at  the  I'niversity  of  Illinois,  I'rbana.  Illinois, 
on  December  8,  1899.  On  December  7  five  delegates  from  Alpha — Wilhel- 
mina  Lank,  Raeburn  Cowger,  Certrude  \\'amsley.  Claudia  Hill,  and  Mary 
Janet  Wilson — came  from  De  Pauw  to  install  the  new  chapter.  On  that 
night  a  rectptit)n  was  held  for  them  at  the  home  of  Charlotte  L.  Draper, 
whose  father  was  president  of  the  uni\-ersitv.  Ihe  next  night  installation 
was  held  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Daniels.  The  charter  members  were:  Alison 
Marion  Fernie,  Kate  Neil  Kinlev,  I'Auiice  Dean  Daniels.  Emma  (^uinby 
Fuller,  Clara  (icre,  Charlotte  L.   Draper,   Edna   Louise  Collins. 

For  the  first  few  years  Iota  did  not  have  a  house,  but  in  1902  a  house 
was  rented  at  307^  (ireen  Street,  Champaign.  In  the  fall  a  move  was  made 
to  309  (ireen  Street,  and  in  1904  the  chapter  again  moved,  this  time  to  507 
Green  Street  where  she  remained  until  1906.  A  home  was  built  in  that  year 
for  the  chapter  at  309  E.  John  Street,  Cliampaign,  after  the  plans  drawn 
by  Imo  Baker.  The  chapter  still  occupies  this  house,  but  plans  to  build  a 
home  of  its  own  in  1^M7.  near  the  canijjus  in  Urbana. 


Iota  Cii  aitkk   llm  sk,   Inueksitv  ok  Ii.li.nois,  Chami'akjn,  III. 


The  social  affairs  varv  from  vear  to  year.  During  the  rushing  season  in 
the  fall  the  chapter  entertains  everv  dav.  either  at  the  chapter  house  or  at  the 
homes  of  town  girls  and  patronesses.  The  university  has  limited  ex'ening  social 
afifairs  for  taidi  or^ani/ation  to  two  a  semester.     .\   fall  dance  and  a  Christ- 


42 


The  His'Jorv  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 


mas  dance  are  usually  held  the  first  semester,  and  a  formal  function  in  March 
or  early  April.  "Open  House"  for  men  is  held  once  each  semester,  the  first 
one  being  the  Sunday  after  pledge  day.  A  formal  senior  banquet  in  the 
spring  is  given  in  honor  of  the  seniors.  Once  a  semester  Iota  entertains  the 
other  sororuies  and  the  faculty  at  tea,  and  almost  every  week  she  has  patron- 
esses, faculty,  and  friends  as  dinner  guests. 

Iota  Chapter  edits  a  chapter  newspaper  called  the  Eycota  which  bears  the 
words  "Published  as  best  ive  can,  tvhcnevcr  we  can.''  Its  purpose  is  to 
acquaint  the  alumna-  with  what  the  chapter  is  doing,  and  the  only  "subscrip- 
tion price  is  the  intere.st  and  loyalty  of  the  alumnae."  There  have  been 
several  publications,  the  last  one  in  1916,  dealing  with  plans  for  the  new 
chapter  house.  Every  year  Iota  has  employed  different  ways  of  celebrating 
Hera  Day,  but  this  year's  custom  was  so  interesting  that  it  will  doubtless  be 
continued.  The  children  of  the  Cunningham  Orphans'  Home  were  entertained 
at  the  chapter  house   for  dinner  and  games.      The   chapter  celebrates   every 


Interior,   Iota  Chapter   House 


birthday  occurring  during  the  school  year  among  the  active  girls  with  a  dinner 
which  is  always  accompanied  by  the  birthday  cake  and  wishes.  Every  year 
in  the  early  part  of  May  the  girls  in  the  active  chapter  breakfast  at  Crystal 
Lake.  The  usual  picnic  breakfast  is  enjoyed  around  a  big  bonfire.  An  excit- 
ing ball  game  usually  follows.  Besides  observing  Hera  Day,  Iota  Chapter 
furthers  the  philanthropic  work  of  Champaign  and  Urbana,  both  with  per- 
sonal volunteer  service  and  financial  contributions.  Founders'  Day  is  cele- 
brated by  entertaining  resident  alumnae  at  a  formal  banquet  at  the  chapter 
house.  The  banquet  is  followed  by  a  program  planned  to  be  of 
particular  interest  to  the  alumnae.  The  alumnae  in  1910  presented  the  chapter 
with  a  scholarship  cup  upon  which  Is  engraved  each  year  the  name  of  the 
freshman  who  has  the  highest  scholastic  average.  The  names  so  far  on  the 
cup  are:  Lettie  Busey,  Jean  Ripley,  Edyth  Body,  Gretchen  Gooch,  Erna 
Goldschmidt,  Cora  Berger.  Florence  Lindahl.  The  total  membership  of  Iota 
is  170. 


Present  Scope 


43 


Kappa  Chapter  was  cstablislicd  at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  at  the  University 
of  Wisconsin,  on  December  18.  1903,  bv  Mabel  Dunn,  Camma.  The  charter 
members  were:  Klizabetli  Patten,  lulna  Swciisdu,  Peora  Fryette,  Julia 
McGrew-,  Elizabeth  Davis,  and  Esther  Concklin. 

For  the  first  few  years,  the  chapter  held  its  meetings  at  the  homes  of  the 
members.  In  the  fall  of  1907  Kappa  moved  into  her  first  fraternity  house 
at  702  State  Street.  As  this  place  did  not  prove  satisfactory,  the  chapter 
moved  into  a  desirable  home  at  430  Sterling  Court,  a  short  street  near  the 
campus,  which  contains  the  fraternity  houses  of  five  other  women's  fraterni- 
ties. In  1916  the  chapter  purchased  a  spacious  and  elegant  home  at  146 
Pangdon  Street,  a  wide  and  prominent  street  "running  parallel  and  immedi- 
ate to  the  beautiful  Pake  Mendota."  The  grounds,  extending  to  the  shores  of 
the  lake,  enhance  greatly  the  attractiveness  of  Kappa's  new  home.  The  chap- 
ter has   a  large  number   of   athletic   honors,   and   has   been   much   interested 


Interior  Vikw  of  Kappa's  New  Home 


and  consistently  prominent  in  university  dramatics.  In  June,  1912,  Kappa 
was  hostess  to  the  national  convention.  Pike  most  university  chapters  Kappa 
has  a  well-regulated  and  valuable  social  life.  Tliere  are  usually  three  dances 
given  during  the  year,  one  of  which  is  formal.  A  number  of  teas  are  given 
including  each  year  one  for  both  fraternity  and  independent  w^omen,  and 
one  for  guests  at  "home-coming"  time.  In  the  fall  ()i)en  house  is  held  in 
honor  of  the  new  girls  to  which  men  from  all  the  fraternities  in  the  univer- 
sity are  invited.  In  alternate  years  the  chapter  holds  a  reception  for  the 
members  of  the  faculty.  At  Christmas  time  a  party  at  the  house  for  active 
members  and  town-alumn;e  contributes  to  the  cheer  of  the  cheerless,  for  the 
gifts  and  the  tree  are  carried  off  the  next  day  by  the  Associated  Charities. 
An  annual  reunion  is  held  at  commencement  time.  There  are  a  great  manv 
Alpha  Chi  Omegas  in  Wisconsin,  and  the  reunion  becomes  each  year  more 
of  an  event.     For  Sunday  evening  lunch  pledges,  town  girls,  and  house  resi- 


u 


Present  Scope  45 

dents  gather  ahout  the  large  round  tal)le.  Hera  Dav  has  been  celebrated  by 
sending  flowers  to  the  hospitals  in  the  city  until  1915-16.  During  March 
and  April  of  that  year  members  of  Kappa  spent  part  of  each  Saturday  after- 
noon at  the  day  nursery  teaching  the  poor  children  to  sew.  Kappa  has 
initiated,  during  her  thirteen  years  of  life,   110  members. 

Lambda  Chapter  was  installed  in  Syracuse  University,  Syracuse,  New 
York.  December  18,  1906,  by  Mary  Jones  'Pennant,  Inspector.  The  charter 
members  were:  Olive  C.  Morris,  Nellie  Rogers  Miiiott,  !•' ranees  Louise 
Waldo,  and  Jessie  Beatrix  Lansing.  Lambda  has  added  to  the  membership 
of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  110  young  women,  twenty-five  p'^r  cent  of  whom  have 
entered  the  teaching  profession.  Lambda  rented  a  house  in  September,  1907, 
at  606  Ostrom  Avenue.  May  1,  1908,  the  chapter  moved  to  405  University 
Avenue.  This  was  occupied  until  September,  1911,  when  the  chapter  moved 
to  727  University  Avenue.  From  there  they  moved  in  1915  to  402  Walnut 
Place.  In  1916  the  plans  of  many  months  bore  fruit  in  the  purchase  of  an 
elegant  and  capacious  chapter  home  at  123  College  Place  in  a  good  fraternity 
district.  Lambda  entertains  each  year  with  a  formal  dancing  party.  During 
the  semester  informal  dances  are  given  at  the  chaptei"  house.  Each  class 
entertains  the  chapter  annually  with  original  plays  or  with  indoor  picnics. 
The  seniors  give  a  Christmas  party.  The  juniors  as.sume  full  charge  of  the 
alumnae  banquet  in  June.  Financial  support  is  given  by  the  chapter  to  the 
university  settlement  which  is  doing  efl^ective  work  in  Syracuse.  Several  mem- 
bers teach  gymnasium,  sewing,  and  cooking-classes  in  the  settlement.  Every 
year  on  the  first  day  of  March,  known  as  Hera  Dav,  about  twenty-five  or 
thirty  children  from  the  Onondaga  Orphans'  Home  between  the  ages  of  five 
and  ten  are  invited  to  a  party  at  the  chapter  house.  The  children  play  games 
and  enjoy  a  delightful  supper  after  which  thev  receive  favors,  and  on  leaving 
each  one  is  given  a  red  carnation.  These  carnations  are  donated  to  the 
chapter  every  year  by  one  of  the  leading  florists. 

Lambda  is  noted  in  athletics  as  well  as  in  other  uni\'ersity  activities.  The 
tennis  championship  of  the  university  has  rested  for  several  years  in  Lambda's 
ranks.  Lambda,  in  the  perfection  of  her  alumnte  organization,  surpasses  all 
other  chapters. 

Mu  Chapter  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  organized  as  a  local  chapter,  .\lpha 
Alpha  (iamma,  in  October,  1905.  In  Januarv.  1907,  she  petitioned  for  a 
charter  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  which  was  granted  in  April  of  the  same  year. 
On  May  13,  she  was  installed  bv  Alta  Allen  Loud,  (irand  President,  and 
Marcia  Clark  Howell,  Orand  Vice-president,  assisted  by  Elizabeth  Patrick, 
Gamma. 

Since  women's  fraternities  are  not  permitted  to  live  in  fraternity  houses 
at  Simpson  College,  Mu  Chapter  owns  no  house  or  lodge.  For  several  years, 
how^ever,  a  number  of  the  girls  have  filled  all  the  rooms  at  the  home  of  Mrs, 
S.  A.  Silliman,  a  mother  of  two  of  Mu's  charter  members,  thus  keeping  closely 
associated  with  each  other.  Meetings  are  held  at  the  Silliman  home  or  at 
the  homes  of  the  resident  members. 


X  x 


Q> 


]*ki;si;N  i-  Sioi'i-; 


47 


In  the  nine  N'cars  that  Mu  has  li\L'(l  in  Alpha  Clii  (  )nu-ua.  imich  ha-.  \>cl\\ 
accomplished  and  many  ('(ilk'Li,\'  and  nalinnal  honors  hax-c  comi'  to  Ikt.  ()f 
her  fifteen  t'harter  members — I'dorenre  A.  Arinstron,i,'.  l'".mma  l5ro\vn.  Myrtle 
Hussey,  I\llen  C'onrey,  Lena  DalrNinple.  I.ora  IkiLjler.  Nell  Harris.  Carrie 
McFadon,  Kthel  MacFadon,  Bessie  Reed.  Ada  .S(•hinlell"eni^^  Mar<,'arel 
Schimelfenig,  Kffie  Sillinian,  Mayme  Silhman.  and  I.ois  Smi.h — three  have 
won  national  fraternity  distinction. 

Mu  holds  ^■ery  ln\ij,h  rank  at  Simpson  in  scholarship,  and  in  all  the  college 
activities,  literary,  athletic,  forensic,  relii^'ious.  and  social.  She  has  developed 
a  remarkable  number  of  leaders  in  the  chapter  as  has  also  .Mbion  College 
which  corresponds  closely  to  Simpson  in  atmosphere  and  standards.  The 
social  restrictions  accompanying  the  smaller  denominational  institutions  inten- 
sify the  efforts  expended  along  intellectual  and  athletic  lines.  The  sacri- 
fices made  by  the  patrons  of  such  institutions  are  examples  of  earnestness  and 
generosity  to  the  students  who  fretiuently  become  most  devoted  ser\-ants  of  any 
cause  to  which  their  lives  are  consecrated.  The  limited  numbers — an  average 
of  500 — make  close  acquaintance  common  on  the  camjuis.  Social  affairs  are 
ingenious  and  recreative.  Rushing  parties,  and  an  annual  formal  bancjuet,  a 
tea  for  the  town  mothers  and  patronesses,  an  annual  Christmas  i)artv.  and  th.e 
traditit)nal  house  party  at  the  end  of  the  college  year  are  the  imjxirtant  func 
tions.  A  good  Conservatory  of  Music  provides  the  chapter  with  splendiil 
opportunities  for  musical  culture.     Mu  has  initiated   lOS  members. 


Home  ok  Nc  C'iiai'tek,   L'.mveksiiv  uv  Coiukahh,   lioi  i.kkk,  C  oi.o. 


48 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


Nu  Chapter  was  installed  at  the  University  of  Colorado.  Boulder.  Colo- 
rado, September  6.  1907,  Harriet  Mabel  Siller,  Grand  Historian,  acting  as 
installing  delegate  after  having  made  a  previous  investigation  of  the  peti- 
tioners. The  charter  members  were:  Irene  Hall,  Ethel  Brown,  Jessie 
Rodcers.  Frances  Foote,  Helen  Rice,  Willa  Wales,  Bertha  Howard.  Flora 
(ioldsworthv,  and  Mollie  Rank. 

Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  the  fifth  women's  fraternity  to  enter  the  Univer- 
sity of  Colorado.  The  chapter  has  lived  in  a  chapter  house  from  the  begin- 
ning. At  present  she  resides  at  1080  Thirteenth  Street.  She  is  the  only  chap- 
ter of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  the  Rocky  Mountains  except  for  the  two  alumnae 
clubs,  Denver  Alumnae  Club,  and  Pueblo  Alumnae  Club.  She  has  sorely 
missed  the  frequent  contact  with  sister  chapters  which  other  groups  enjoy. 
Several  chapters,  however,  have  been  established  recently  between  the  Missis- 
sippi and  the  Pacific  so  that  Nu  will  now  have  sisters  in  closer  proximity. 
Attractive  dances  and  teas,  picnics  in  the  picturesque  mountains  near  Boulder, 
and  a  share  in  the  annual  university  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  Y.  W.  C.  A.  fair,  con- 
stitute the  most  important  part  of  Nu's  social  events.  She  has  a  keen 
interest  in  the  activities  of  the  institution,  and  has  developed  much  along  all 
lines  during  the  nine  years  of  her  existence.  She  has  initiated  ninety-one 
members. 


Home  of  Xi  Chapter,  University  of  Nebraska,   Linxoln,  Xeb. 


Present  Scope 


49 


Xi  Chapter  at  the  University  of  Nebraska.  Lincohi,  Nebraska,  followed 
close  in  the  wake  of  Mu  and  Nu  Chapters  and  was  established  Thanksgiving 
day,  1907. 

Miss  Laura  Howe  and  Miss  Mable  Silk-r.  assisted  by  Mrs.  P.  C.  Som- 
merville  and  Mrs.  Grace  Slaughter  (iamble,  installed  the  chapter.  The 
eleven  charter  members — then  pledges — Vera  Upton,  Emma  Farrow,  Harriet 
Bardwell,  May  Bardwell,  Lilah  David,  Beulah  Coodson,  Linna  Timmer- 
man,  Nina  Beaver,  Alice  Lesher,  Irene  Little,  and  Beulah  Buckley,  met  at  the 
Lincoln  Hotel,  where  the  ceremony  took  place. 

Panhellenic  immediately  invited  the  chapter  to  become  a  member  of  that 
body  and  later  gave  a  dance  in  her  honor.  Including  Alpha  Chi  Omega, 
Panhellenic  was  represented  by  nine  national  sororities  at  that  time.  There 
are  now  fourteen  members. 

from  the  first.  Xi  Chapter  took  a  prominent  place  in  universitv 
affairs,  which  includes  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  Cabinet  Officers,  Corn  Huskcr  Staff,  all 
intercollegiate  affairs,  all  interfraternity  societies.  Oirls'  Club,  and  Pan- 
hellenic Associations. 

Since  the  chapter  was  installed  on  Thanksgiving  day.  it  seems  fitting  that 
thev  should  continue  the  custom  of  oft'ering  thanks  in  a  substantial  manner. 
No  chapter  liirthday  has  gone  by  unnoticed,  and  gifts  of  all  kinds  are 
received  from  friends,  alumnie.  and  active  members. 

The  alumnae  had  charge  of  the  banquet  in  1909.  and  it  was  so  successful 
that  it  is  now  understood  that  they  preside  over  the  occasion.     Perhaps  the 


ry^ 


y\  -^f  ^ 


Sl.XTH    .ANXrAL    P.ANQIKT,    Xl    Cll  AITER,    MaV    6,    U)l6 
Garden  Room  of  Lincoln   Hotel.  Lincoln.  Xcb. 

gift  of  a  loving-cup  by  the  alumn;e  at  that  banipitt  is  significant  of  the 
perfect  cooperation  of  the  two  bodies,  'i'he  Lyre  Loving-cup  was  conferred 
upon  Xi  in  1910-1  \.     On  Hera  Day.  1913.  the  chapter  house,  including  many 


50 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


of  the  fraternity  possessions  was  almost  destroyed  by  fire.  The  town  girls 
opened  their  homes  to  those  made  homeless  by  the  fire.  The  chapter  returned 
a  few  weeks  later  to  the  same  address.  Insurance  covered  most  of  the 
chapter's  loss,  and  in  the  following  fall  the  chapter  moved  to  their  present 
home  at  1410  Q  Street. 

Since  the  installation  of  Xi  Chapter,  they  have  never  failed  to  observe 
"Our  Mothers'  Dav."  Fhe  mothers  of  all  girls  of  the  chapter  are  made 
welcome  at  the  chapter  house.  This  custom  among  fraternities  and  sororities 
at  Nebraska  originated  with  Xi  Chapter  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  and  practically 
every  society  in  school  observes  this  custom. 

An  annual  banquet  is  held  in  May  to  which  scores  of  alumnae  return. 
Messages  are  read  from  those  absent.  The  toys  received  at  the  Christmas 
party,  with  the  tree,  are  sent  to  a  hospital  on  the  following  day. 

Omicron  Chapter  was  installed  September  17,  1908,  at  Baker  University, 
Baldwin,  Kansas,  being  formed  from  a  seventeen-year-old  local  organization, 
Nu  Alpha.  The  investigation  of  the  petitioners  was  conducted  by  Alta  Allen 
Loud,  Grand  President.  The  installing  delegates  were  Mary  Jones  Tennant, 
Inspector,  and  Kate  Calkins,  Beta,  formerly  Grand  President.  All  the  active 
girls  of  Nu  Alpha  were  initiated  on  the  evening  of  the  seventeenth,  together 
with  several  Nu  Alpha  alumn:-e.  After  the  ceremonies,  a  banquet  was  served. 
The  afternoon  was  spent  in  a  general  reception  to  all  the  fraternities  and  to 
the  friends  of  Nu  Alpha.  The  charter  members  were :  Aletha  Kelley,  Laura 
Nicholson,  Edna  Pearce,  Bonnidell  Sisson,  Minerva  Bragg,  Eula  Smith, 
Grace  Davenport,  Edith  Bideau,  Zula  Green,  Stella  Morton,  Mae  Dennis, 
Beulah  Kinzer,  Iva  Riley  Farrer,  Alice  Reid  Bacon. 

In  the  fall  of  1909  the  house  was  entered  which  is  still  occupied.  It  is  a 
comfortable  and  attractive  house,  near  the  college  campus,  which  accommo- 


HoAfE  01"  Omicron  Chapte;;,  I'.aker  University,  Baldwin,  Kan. 


1'ki:si:.\  r   Scoi'k 


51 


dates  most  of  the  members  of  the  chapter.  I'niversity  rules  entitle  each  fra- 
ternity to  two  informal  parties  and  one  formal  partv  during  the  college  year. 
The  Christmas  party  is  held,  according  to  tradition,  on  the  first  Tuesday  eve- 
ning after  the  return  of  the  .students  from  the  holidays.  The  formal  func- 
tion is  held  in  the  spring.  For  mothers,  patronesses,  and  friends,  a  Kensing- 
ton is  given.  In  the  fall  of  1914  ( )mi(ron  received  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
Loving  cup  for  highest  ranking  in  fraternitv  relations.  Omicron  Chapter 
has  a  total  meml)ership  of   141. 

On  May  7,  1909.  at  the  I  niversity  of  California.  Berkeley,  California, 
La  Solana  House  Club  became  I'i  Chapter  of  Ali^ha  Chi  Omega.  The 
installation  was  made  by  Mabel  Harriet  Siller,  then  (irand  Historian,  assist- 
ed bv  Carrie  Trowbridge.  Kpsilon,  and  Anne  Shepard.  l^psilon, —  Delta 
Delta  tlelegates.  The  inspection  of  the  petitioners  and  of  the  field  had  been 
made  by  x\lta  Allen  Loud.  Cirantl  President,  assisted  by  resident  alumn;e.  At 
one-thirty  p.  m.,  on  May  7.  the  initiation  ceremony  took  ])lace,  conducted  by 
Miss  Siller.  In  this  she  was  assisted  by  the  other  installing  delegates,  and  by 
Lida  Bosler  Hunter.  Alpha;  Theo  White  Lillard,  Delta;  Lucretia  Drown, 
Beta;  and  Nellie  Creen  Wheeler.  ( )live  Kerryman.  and  Rowena  Hall  of 
Epsilon. 

On  the  afternoon  of  May  8,  a  reception  was  given  for  the  faculty,  and 
members  of  other  fraternities,  and  in  the  evening  the  installation  bancjuet 
was  held  in  the  chapter  house. 

Pi  Chapter  had  eighteen  charter  members — Beatrice  Bocarde,  Edith 
Brown,  Dorothy  Burdorf,  Rue  Clifford,  Marguerite  Creighton,  Fern  Fnos, 
Fthel  Louden  (iillis.   Marion  Hitchcock.   Bvrd   Howell,  Leone  Lane  Kelley, 


Ho.MK  111    I'l  (11  AIM  i:k,   L'mvkksiiv  ni    Cai.hokmv,  1>i:kkki.kv,  C  \i. 


52  The  History  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Bess  Kcntnt-r,  J^da  Long,  Clare  Norton,  (iertrude  Rice,  Mary  Stafford,  Alice 
Streets,  Elsie  Williams,  and  Elizabeth  Wright. 

During  the  first  few  years  of  the  chapter's  existence,  the  members  lived 
at  1711  Euclid  Avenue.  In  spite  of  various  enlargements  which  were  made 
later,  the  house  proved  to  be  entirely  too  small  for  the  chapter's  needs.  In 
August,  1912,  therefore,  the  chapter  moved  to  the  present  residence,  2421  Le 
Conte  Avenue,  a  large  frame  house,  about  five  minutes  walk  from  the  college 
campus. 

(Jnce  a  year  Pi  Chapter  gives  a  formal  tea,  to  which  are  invited  facultv 
members,  other  fraternities,  and  independent  girls.  Besides  this,  one  or  two 
informal  teas  are  given  during  the  year.  About  once  a  month  a  faculty 
dinner  is  given.  This  has  been  found  to  be  an  excellent  way  by  which  the 
girls  may  become  acquainted,  personally,  with  the  professors  and  their  wives. 
It  is  also  the  custom  of  the  fraternity  to  give  two  dances  each  semester — a 
formal  dance  in  the  spring,  followed  by  an  informal  dance,  and  two  informal 
parties  during  the  fall  semester. 

Among  Pi  Chapter  customs  there  are  perhaps  five  which  are  most  inter- 
esting. One  is  the  Japanese  Tea,  given  each  August,  about  a  week  before  the 
opening  of  College.  The  house  is  strung  with  lanterns  which  furnish  the 
only  light  in  the  darkened  rooms ;  pink  cherry  blossoms  bloom  in  the  fire- 
places, and  nod  gaily  from  the  tables  and  mantels.  The  girls  dressed  in  gay 
Japanese  costumes,  complete  the  effect  and  serve  tea  in  the  dining-room.  Then, 
too,  there  is  Pi's  St.  Patrick  Day  dinner,  when  Ireland's  green  dominates 
everyone  and  everything:  there  is  the  much-enjoyed  annual  train  dinner, 
when  the  dining-room  becomes  a  dining-car,  and  the  guests  travel  from 
Berkeley  to  Nova  Scotia,  merely  l)v  changing  places  after  each  course,  with 
the  aid  of  time-tal)les.  Another  of  Pi's  customs  is  a  Christmas  Bazaar.  Then 
the  active  chapter  unites  with  Theta  Theta  Alumnae  Chapter,  in  making 
all  manner  of  articles  both  useful  and  ornamental.  The  Bazaar  continues 
all  day  and  in  the  evening  there  is  usually  an  auction,  if  anything  remains 
unsold.  The  auctioneer  is  the  father  of  one  of  the  girls,  and  the  articles  are 
di.sposed  of  at  excellent  prices.  It  has  also  become  a  custom  of  Pi  to  buy 
a  strip-picture  for  the  chapter  house  each  year  ;  th.ese  are  then  framed  and 
hung  upon  the  walls  of  the  dining-room.  Pi's  ambition  is  to  place  them 
upon  the  walls  of  the  chapter-room  of  their  own  home  some  day. 

Pi's  philantliropies  are  varied,  for  there  is  a  great  difference  between 
assisting  the  Travelers'  Aid  Society  and  adopting  a  French  war-orphan. 
Perhaps  one  of  the  things  which  gave  Pi  girls  most  pleasure  was  the  making 
possible  the  ultimate  cure  of  a  little  cripple  whose  parents  were  unable  to 
supply  the  necessary  money.  Another  opportunity  that  came  to  the  girls  last 
semester  was  that  of  making  sets  of  warm  clothing  for  the  Belgian  babies. 
From  the  time  of  Pi's  installation  have  come  such  opportunities,  both  little 
and  great,  and  as  long  as  Pi  exists  will  come  others.  The  total  membership 
of  this  chapter  is  109. 

On  October  14,  1910,  Delta  Nu  was  installed  as  Rho  Chapter  of  Alpha 
Chi   Omega   at   the   chapter   house,   4543    17th    Avenue    North    East.      The 


Prksext  Scope 


53 


installation  ccrcniunics  were  conclLUtLcl  by  Alta  Allen  Loud  assisted  by  Ada 
Dickie  Hamblen,  Beta;  Louise  Stone,  Zeta ;  Bess  Kentner,  Pi;  Gaea  Wood, 
Gamma;  Pauline  Drake,  Iota;  Ernestine  Heslop.  Xu  ;  Susan  Hovcy  Fitch, 
Theta;  and   Florence  Clemens   Kemp,  Theta. 

The  charter  members  were:  Cogswell,  Vera  (Mrs.  Wentworth  Rogers)  ; 
Greenberg,  Edith;  Harkins,  Marjorie;  Hawks.  Hazel  (Mrs.  ^L1rvin  Tuttle)  ; 
Hindman,  Edith;  Jones,  I'Ubel  ;  Maltbie.  'I'heodora  (Mrs.  James  Collins); 
Niedergesaess,  Gertrude  (Mrs.  A.  M.  Bryce)  ;  U'Donnell,  (Iretchen  (Mrs. 
George  I^ast  Starr)  :  Rogers:.  Emily ;  Rogers,  Jennie  (Mrs.  Thomas  Cole)  ; 
Storrh.  Bess.  The  total  membership  of  Rho  Chapter  is  eighty-one.  Rho's 
chapter  house  is  a  large  tliree-stnried  structure  of  brick  and  Spanish  plaster 


RlIO    ClIAl'TEK    lIul.sK.    L'M\KK.sriV    111-     \V  ASl  1 1  N(;TuN ,    Seaiti.k,    Wasii. 


planned  and  built  by  the  chapter  just  before  their  installation  into  the 
Fraternity.  One  formal  and  one  informal  dancing  party  is  given  during  the 
college  year.  Two  informal  ten  o'clock  dances  are  given  each  semester  at 
the  chapter  house,  tlie  first  one  usually  for  the  pledges.  'Lhe  social  affairs  held 
early  in  the  fall  are  devoted  to  rushing  parties  such  as  teas,  luncheons, 
dinners,  and  vaudevilles.  .\n  annual  Founders'  Day  Banquet  is  always 
given.  In  the  fall  a  reception  is  lield  for  the  housemother;  receptions  are 
also  held  for  visiting  national  officers. 

Sigma  Chapter  was  installed  at  the  University  of  Iowa,  Iowa  City,  Iowa, 
on  June  10,  1911.  She  was  the  fifth  women's  fraternity  to  enter  the  univer- 
sity. The  charter  members  were:  Marie  Bateman,  Nina  Shaffer.  Ina  Scherre- 
beck,  Grace  Overholdt.  Mvrtle  Moore.  Mae  Williamson,  and  Bertha  Reichert. 
Winifred  Van  Buskirk  Nh)uiu.  National  Treasurer;  Mvrtle  .McKean  Dennis. 


54 


The   HisroRV  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 


Sigma  Chapter  House,  University  of  Iowa,  Iowa  City,  Iowa 


National  Inspector ;  and  Florence  A.  Armstrong.  National  Editor,  ^vho  had 
organized  the  group,  performed  the  installation.  The  chapter  house  is  situated 
on  Io\va  AYenue,  a  beautiful  street  full  of  flowers  and  foliage.  A  large 
sleeping  porch  and,  back  of  the  house,  a  stream  crossed  by  a  rustic  bridge, 
adds  to  the  pleasure  of  the  members.  Sigma  had  the  distinction  of  standing  at 
the  front  of  the  fraternity  ranks  in  scholarship  throughout  the  first  two  years 
of  her  existence.  She  is  enthusiasticallv  interested  in  all  the  actiYities  of  a 
great  university,  and  has  held  most  honorable  place  in  social,  dramatic, 
religious,  literary,  and  scholastic  lields.  She  has  initiated  into  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  fifty-five  young  women. 

Tau  Chapter  was  installed  November  24.  1911.  at  Brenau  College.  Gaines- 
ville, Georgia,  being  formed  from  Kappa  Chapter  of  Eta  Upsilon  Gamma. 
The  investigation  of  the  petitioning  chapter  was  conducted  by  Winifred  Van 
Buskirk  Mount,  Grand  Treasurer.  Mrs.  Leroy  Childs  (Nell  Schuyler, 
Theta),  Ethel  McCoy  (Lambda).  Josephine  Blanchard  (Theta),  and  Mary 
Thankful  Everett   (Zeta),  assisted  in  the  installation. 

The  charter  members  ^Yere :  Montine  Alford,  Sara  Lee  Alford,  Jewel 
Bond,  Mary  Carson,  Mary  Dortch.  Aileen  Deaver.  Margaret  Brown  Holder, 
Opal  Overpack,  Her  King,  Faye  McCiee.  Willie  Kate  Travis.  Virginia  Hin- 
ton,  Willie  Hamilton.  Constance  Miller,  Nan  Osborne,  Emma  Partlow,  Nell 


PRKSENT    Sc<)l>E 


55 


Quinn,  Janie  Russell.  Laura  Morton.  Thu  total  incmhershij)  of  'I'au  Chapter 
is  seventy-one. 

From  the  installation  of  the  chapter  until  the  fall  of  1915  Tau  occupied 
a  house  at  65  Sprinij;  Street.  In  Seiiteniher.  1915.  the  house  was  changed  to 
75  East  Washington. 

Tau  Chapter  gives  an  annual  dance  and  rece])tion  of  a  formal  nature  to 
which  the  faculty,  other  fraternities,  and  friends  are  invited.  A  chapter 
reunion  is  held  i)n  the  week-end  of  November  24,  during  which  various 
entertainments  are  given,  the  most  important  being  the  banquet  on  the  last 
night.     Numerous  teas,  picnics,  and  informal  evenings  occur  during  the  year. 

On  Hera  Day  Tau  always  sends  a  check  and  a  box  of  clothes  to  a  moun- 


IIo.ME  OF  Tau  Chapter,  Bke.xau   Coi.iece,  Gaines\  ii  if.,  t.',.\. 


tain  school  not  far  from  here.  About  a  week  after  pledge  day  the  chapter 
gives  their  patronesses  a  musical  tea  to  meet  the  pledges,  and  only  the  pledges 
take  part  in  the  program.  Just  before  the  Christmas  holidays,  the  chapter 
has  a  Christmas  tree  and  each  girl  presents  the  chapter  with  a  book.  Tau 
Chapter  has  a  total  memi)ership  of  sixty-nine.  Her  members  have  been  the 
leaders  in  practically  all  of  the  college  activities  since  her  installation. 
The  only  chapter  in  the  far  soutli.  I'au  has  much  in  common  with  the  north- 
ern chapters,  and  is  intensely  loyal  to  all  national  undertakings. 

After  the  usual  summer  house  party,  there  are  permitted  three  parties 
for  rushing  in  the  fall  ;  the  last  is  a  formal  bamjuet  with  prospective  pledges. 
Informal    teas   on    Sunday    afternoons    at    the    chapter    house    have   been   an 


56 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 


excellent  means  to  solidarity  and  influence.  According  to  Panhellenic  rules 
each  fraternity  has  the  privilege  of  giving  one  large  party  each  semester. 
The  one  formal  party,  a  dance  and  banquet,  is  given  annually  in  the  spring. 
A  very  informal  annual  aifair  is  the  May  breakfast,  and  on  May  9  comes  the 
chapter  anniversary  banquet,  whose  deeply  meant  words  and  thoughts  of  fra- 
ternity ideals  always  raise  the  conception  of  esprit  dc  corps. 


Living-room,  Tau  Chapter  House 


On  the  afternoon  of  May  13,  1908,  eight  girls,  spurred  by  faculty 
influence,  met  and  made  of  themselves  an  organization  which  should  fill  the 
need  of  a  third  sorority  in  James  Millikin  University.  This  group  called 
Phi  Pi  existed  locally  until  May  9,  1913,  when  it  became  a  part  of  the 
national  organization  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  Alta  Allen  Loud,  National 
President;  Birdean  Motter  Ely,  National  Secretary;  Lillian  Zimmerman, 
National  Treasurer;  Florence  A.  Armstrong,  Editor  of  Lyre;  Lois  Smith 
Crann,  National  Inspector  ;  Bonnidel  Sisson  Roberts,  President  of  the  Central 
Province;  Alice  Watson  Dixon,  President  of  the  Eastern  Province;  and 
Myrtle  Hatswell  Bowman,  in  charge  of  the  music,  were  the  installing  dele- 
gates. They  were  assisted  by  twenty-five  members  from  Iota  and  eight  from 
Garmna.     Eight  chapters  were  represented  in  the  ceremony. 

Following  the  installation  of  Upsilon,  the  National  Council  held  its  annual 
meeting  in  Decatur.  This  gave  the  new  chapter  a  fortunate  week  in  which  to 
become  better  acquainted  with  the  actual  lubrication  of  the  Alphs  Chi  Omega 
wheels.  The  other  fraternities  at  Millikin  entertained  the  new  chapter  and  its 
visitors  very  generously  during  the  week. 

The  charter  members  were :  Effie  Morgan,  Laura  Kriege,  Helen  Moffett, 
Alice  Hicks,  Anna  McNabb,  Margaret  McNabb,  Rowena  Hudson,  Estelle 
Du  Hadway,  Blanche  Redmon,  Sadie  White,  Florence  Kriege,  Elsie  Springs- 
tun,  Julia  Owings,  Laura  Weilepp,  Marie  Hays,  Ruth  Seifried,  Ora  Bellamy, 
Celia  Still,   Louise  Naber,   Clara  Randolph,    Hilda  Smith,   Helen   Hopple, 


Present  Scope 


57 


Blossom  Redmon,  Dee  Worrell,  Irene  Staley,  Mary  Scott,  I'.lizabeth  Putnam, 
Mildred  Gushing,  Hazel  (irady.  Helen  Heald. 

Upsilon's  home  during  the  year  1912-13  was  the  somewhat  overflowing 
Walter  House  in  W^est  Wood  Street.  The  associations  of  the  glad  young 
days  are  built  round  that  house,  but  the  larger  place  just  off  the  camj)us  ir. 
1158  West  North  Street,  into  which  the  chapter  moved  in  the  fall  of  1913, 
and  which  still  shelters  them,  has  a  thriving  accumulation  of  equally  tender 
memories. 

Meetings  are  held  at  seven  o'clock  on  Thursday  evenings  at  the  chapter 
hou.se.     Each  month  a  buffet  su])i)er  is  given  in  connection  with  the  special 


Home  of  Upsu.ox  Chaitek,  Janies   Mm.i.ikin    Univeksitv,  Decatcr,  Ii.i.. 

program  to  which  the  pledges  and  the  Decatur  Aluinn;L   Club  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  are  invited. 

Of  their  altruistic  work  Upsilon  writes :  "That  one  of  our  customs  which 
has  endeared  itself  most  to  us  is  the  one  which  represents  our  annual  'newsie' 
Christmas  party.  One  would  say  that  it  replaced  a  dance  with  us.  but  for  the 
fact  that  it  fills  a  place  many  times  larger  than  a  dance  could  ever  fill.  We 
commandeer  enough  automobiles  to  carry  our  invited  guests,  whose  number  is 
usually  in  the  scores,  and  enough  Ali)ha  Chi  Omega  fathers,  husbands.  i)roth 
ers.  and  friends,  to  drive  the  automobiles.  When  we  have  .supplied  ourselves 
with  an  entirelv  alarming  stock  of  refreshments,  we  bring  the  voung  horde 


58 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


to  our  house.  They  produce  a  vast  noise,  are  fed,  are  amused,  are  presented 
with  miraculous  gifts  by  Mrs.  Santa  Claus,  they  write  their  names  in  our 
guestbook,  and  depart  yelling  and  enraptured.  Certainly  we  shall  never 
find  a  custom  closer  to  our  hearts  than  our  'newsie'  party." 

On  October  15,  Upsilon  has  a  Founders'  Day  celebration  with  a  cake  and 
candles  and  a  prepared  program. 

Upsilon  Chapter  has  initiated  sixty-four  meml)ers.  In  1914-15  she 
received  the  highest  grade  average  of  the  chapters  of  the  Fraternity. 

Phi  Chapter  is  located  at  the  University  of  Kansas,  Lawrence,  Kansas. 
The  chapter  was  established  September  15,  1914,  with  the  following  charter 
members:     Marion  Blake,  Bessie  Baird,   Kva  Stone,   Marie  Nelson^  Hedwig 


Home  ov  Phi  Chaptek,  Uni\eksity  ok 
Kansas,  Lawrence,  Kan. 


Wulke,  Aileen  Anderson,  Marjorie  Kennedy,  Tryne  Latta,  Myrna  Van  Zandt, 
Winona  McCoskry,  Helen  Stout,  Elsie  Fleeson,  Josephine  Jaccjua,  Claribel 
Lupton,  and  Virginia  Weldon.  The  installing  officers,  Lillian  G.  Zimmerman, 
from  the  Council;  Marie  Moorehead  El^right,  and  Jennie  Oechsli  Haggart, 
Omicron,  were  assisted  by  Omicron  Chapter.  This  chapter  has  initiated 
thirty-seven  members  into  Alpha  Chi  ( )mega. 

Chi  Chapter  was  founded  at  (Oregon  Agricultural  College,  Corvallis, 
Oregon,  on  February  25,  1915.  The  installing  officers  were  Alta  Allen 
Loud  and  Leigh  Stafford  Foulds,  assisted  by  Myrtle  Harrison  and  Edith 
Hindman,  Rho  ;  by  Beatrix  Andrews  Hopkins,  Xi ;  and  by  Myrtle  Wilcox 
Gilbert,  Theta.     The  chapter  has  added  thirty-five  members  to  Alpha  Chi 


IIdmk  111    till  c'liAPiKK,  Okkco.n  Ai;Ki(T[.riuAi.  Coi.i.ECE,  CoKVAi.i.is,  Oke. 


The  Music-koom  in  Chi  Chapter's  Home 


60 


The   History  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 


Omega.  She  has  the  honor  to  be  the  first  national  fraternity  chapter  estab- 
lished at  Oregon  Agricultural  College.  The  charter  members  were :  Lystra 
Tagg.  Verna  Tagg.  hi  via  Tagg,  Dorothy  Passmore,  Louise  Williamson,  Cora 
Ueland,  Mildred  Crout.  Elizabeth  Howitt,  Faith  Hanthorn,  Edith  Cather- 
vvood,  Vesta  Kerr  Reynt)lds.  Ruth  Morrison.  Bertha  Davis,  Leonora  H.  Kerr, 
Ada  Reed,  and  Miriam  Thayer.  Not  until  early  in  the  fall  of  1915  was 
Chi's  chapter  house  opened,  for  by  faculty  ruling  a  fraternity  group  must  be 
organized  for  a  year  before  a  chapter  house  may  be  occupied. 

The  social  functions  have  been  unique  in  their  simplicity  and  informality. 
On  alternate  Sunday  evenings  the  chapter  has  served  tea  to  faculty  members 
and  to  students.  Dinner  parties  have  been  numerous,  but  simple.  There 
have  been  "hikes,"  picnics,  and  country  dinners  in  the  beautiful  foothills  of  the 
Coast  Range  Mountains.  During  the  year  there  have  been  two  formal  parties, 
one  in  the  chapter  house,  and  the  other,  the  Intersorority  Ball,  given  in  the 
Women's   gymnasium.      Chi's  record   in  scholarship   has  been  high. 


Psi  Chai'ter  House,  L'niversity  of  Oklahoma,  Norman,  Oki.a. 

Psi  Chapter  was  installed  at  the  L'niversity  of  Oklahoma.  Norman,  Okla- 
homa, Januarv  14,  1916.  The  installing  officers  were  Maude  Staiger  Steiner, 
Extension  Vice-president ;  El  Fleda  Coleman  Jackson,  Extension  Officer  for 
Oklahoma,  and  Jennie  Oechsli  Haggart,  Extension  Officer  for  Kansas; 
assisted  by  Mrs.  Ralph  Bennett,  Mrs.  R.  J.  Roberts,  Mrs.  Charles  Odell, 
Miss  Marion  Blake,  Mrs.  F.  D.  Brooks,  and  Miss  Bess  Snell.  The  charter 
members  were  fifteen,  as  follows :  Gladys  and  Dory  Hollenbeck,  Vivian 
Sturgeon,  Alice  Dunn,  Ruth  Snell,  Lucy  Clark,  Jessie  Stiles,  Rosa  McComis. 
Carmon  Hampton,  Mildred  McClellan.  Elizabeth  Richardson,  Ruby  Russel, 
Dona    Faulkenbury,    Mrs.    Frederick    Holmberg,    Minnaletha   Jones. 


Present  Scope  ^^ 

Psi  girls  have  a  most  attractive  liome  which  was  built  especially  for 
them  this  year.  On  the  first  floor  arc  a  reception  hall,  music-room,  livinj^- 
room.  and  dining-room  which  can  be  thrown  togetlier  for  entertaining  and 
dancing.  In  addition  to  these  rooms  are  a  chapter-room,  two  l)edro()ms. 
kitchen,  servant's  room,  an<l  hath.  On  the  second  floor  are  eiglit  l)edro()ms, 
a  large  sleeping  porch  across  the  west  end,  and  a  balcony  on  the  east.  We 
have  one  of  the  largest  fraternity  liouses  on  the  campus,  the  dimensions  being 
forty-two  by  eighty-three  feet. 

Omega  Chapter  was  established  at  Washington  State  College,  Pullman, 
Washington,  September  22,  1916. 

The  installing  officer  was  Alta  Allen  Loud  who  was  assisted  by  Edith 
Hindman,  Rho,  of  Seattle,  Extension  officer  for  Washington;  Mrs.  Alice 
Reynolds  Fischer,  Theta,  assisted  by  Chairman  of  Eocal  Arrangements,  and 
Elizabeth  Stine  Casper,  Gamma,  botli  of  Walla  Walla;  Cora  Irene  Leiby, 
Upsilon,  and  Ethel  Jones,  Rho,  of  Moscow,  Idaho  ;  Emily  Rogers,  Rho,  of 
Waterville;  Hazel  Learned  Sherrick,  Rho,  of  Starbuck ;  and  Alberta  Caven- 
dar.  Chi,  of  Pendleton,  Oregon. 

The  charter  members  were  the  following  nineteen  young  women  of  whom 
four  were  alumna:  Beryl  Campbell,  of  Walla  Walla;  Iva  Davidson,  of 
Reardon;  Lydia  Champlin,  of  Tacoma ;  and  Winnie  Shields,  of  Milton. 
Fifteen  represented  Omega's  present  active  chapter :  Jennie  McCormack. 
Spokane;  Irene  Palmer,  Bellingham  ;  Helen  Holroyd.  Helena.  Mont.;  Leila 
Nordby,  Port  Townsend ;  Beryl  Wadsworth,  Richland  ;  Emma  McCormick. 
Mount  Vernon ;  Rachel  Shumann.  White  Salmon ;  Dorothy  Alvord  :  Anne 
Palmer,  Bellingham;  Doris  Lay.  Seattle;  Elizabeth  Henry.  North  Vakima ; 
Grace  Stonecipher,  Waitsburg ;  (Jertrude  Stephens,  Monroe;  Beulah  Kelly, 
Walla  \\'alla  ;  and  Mary  Setzer,  Tacoma. 

The  early  history  of  Alpha  Theta  Sigma  is  very  interesting,  especially 
in  comparing  the  ideals  and  ambitions  of  the  chapter  when  it  was  founded 
and  when  its  history  closed.  It  was  Octolier  12,  1908.  when  nine  girls  met 
in  room  42  of  Stevens  Hall  and  organized  themselves  into  the  strong  local 
chapter  which  has  been  known  for  eight  years  as  Alpha  Theta  Sigma.  Shortly 
after  organization  the  chapter  moved  into  a  roomy,  up-to-date  bungalow  on 
College  Hill.  Ever  since  this  time,  the  cb.ajiter  has  resided  in  a  fraternitv 
house. 

In  the  beginning,  there  was  a  rather  strong  trend  toward  literary  ability, 
but  it  has  become  since  almost  evenly  divided  with  musical  ambitions.  From 
an  earlv  date  the  chief  purpose  was  to  strive  for  recognition  from  a  national 
organization  which  embodied  the  higliest  tvpe  of  collegiate  ideals.  In  the 
spring  of  1915  it  was  decided  that  steps  should  be  taken  toward  nationaliza- 
tion. 

The  chapter  li\es  in  a  thrte-storx'  house  which  they  have  leased  until  1918. 
It  is  very  beautifully  located  near  the  campus.  The  house  is  a  bungalow  type 
with  sleeping  porch,  eight  bedrooms,  a  reception  hall,  living-room,  and  dining- 
room.      .\  large  porch  extends  across  the  entire   rr(nit.      The  house  is  heated 


u 


Present   Scope  63 

by  a  hot  water  furnace  and  is  electric  lighted.  It  is  a  home  which  can  easily 
be  made  to  look  pretty,  and  has  the  rei^utation  of  being  the  "homiest  house  on 
the  campus."  A  large  fireplace  in  the  living-room  is  a  very  attractive  feature, 
and  everyone  anticipates  the  evenings  round  the  fire.  The  chapter  has  t)een 
active  in  the  life  of  the  ccdlege.  and  has  received  many  high  honors. 


CHAPTER  VI 

MATERIAL  POSSESSIONS 

The  Financial  Statement  of  the  National  Treasurer  for  1916  shows  that 
the  wealth  of  the  Fraternity  is  $125,233.74  or  $5,445.11  per  chapter.  Since 
ten  chapters,  however,  are  making  energetic  plans  for  the  acquisition  of 
dignified,  comfortable  chapter  houses,  these  figures  will  be  subject  to  early 
and  considerable  revision.  The  following  tabulated  statistics  denote  the 
different  aspects  of  the  wealth  of  the  Fraternity. 

FINANCIAL   STATEMENT 
Volume  of  Business — Annual  Receipts  from  .all  Departments  of  the  Fraternity 

National    Treasury     $  5,041.14* 

Lyre    Treasury    3.776-03 

Active    Chapters     69,360.39 

Alumnre    Chapters    and    Clubs    1,000.00 

$  7q.i77-56 
*  Includes  Convention  Fund  of  $824.21. 

Property  Owned 

Chapter  houses  and  lots : 

Beta    (Albion   College  lodge)    $  4,000.00 

Theta  (University  of  Michigan)   house  and  lot   24,000.00 

Kappa   (University  of  Wisconsin)    house  and  lot    25,000.00 

Lambda    (Syracuse   University)    house  and  lot    25,000.00 

Omicron    (Baker   Universit}')    lot    2,500.00 

Furnishings   of  chapter   houses   and   rooms    25,160.00 

105,660.00 
Permanent  Funds 

National    Reserve    Fund     $  6,565.74 

Lyre  Reserve  Fund 1,500.00 

Scholarship     Fund*     575-00 

8,640.74 
*Fund  has  been  in  existence  but  one  year. 

Chapter  House  Funds 

Cash    $  2,000.00 

Alumna?   pledges    8,133.00 

10,133.00 
Equipment 
Equipment   of   National   Officers    $      800.00  800.00 

Total    value   of   funds,  property,   and 

equipment   owned  by  Alpha  Chi   Omega    .$125,233.74 

The  main  items  of  the  above  table  designate  the  principal  material 
possessions  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  three  forms  :  Permanent  Funds.  Property 
Owned,  and  Chapter  Building  Funds. 

The  permanent  funds  are  three:  The  Reserve  Fund,  The  Lyre  Reserve 
Fund,  and  the  Scholarship  Fund.  All  these  funds  have  been  established 
during  the  past  decade.  The  convention  which  celebrated  the  passing  of 
the  quarter  century  mark  crystallized  by  legislation  the  long-felt  desire  of  the 


Material   Possessions  65 

Fraternit)'  for  a  scholarship  fund  to  stimulate  and  reward  scholarly  attain- 
ments of  members.  The  fund  was  well  begun,  at  this  time,  by  pledges  from 
individual  members.  At  the  next  convention  the  committee  to  which  the 
care  of  the  new  fund  had  been  delegated  recommended  that  its  purpose  be 
changed.  In  their  opinion  a  general  fund  could  be  used  with  greater  returns 
to  the  development  of  the  Fraternity  as  a  whole  than  a  scholarship  fund,  the 
returns  from  which  were  of  individual  character.  A  scholarship  fund,  it  was 
suggested,  might  well  be  established  later,  perhaps  by  the  following  con- 
vention. 

The  recommendation  was  adopted  with  enthusiasm,  and  the  Fraternity 
loyally  supported  the  determination  of  the  committee  to  reach  the  $5,000 
mark  by  the  time  of  the  next  convention  (1915).  'I'he  lirst  few  thousand 
dollars,  the  chairman  of  the  committee,  Mrs.  Loud,  predicted  would  be  the 
most  difficult  part  of  the  fund  to  raise. 

Individual  pledges  were  made  and  Mu  Chapter  offered  her  share  of  the 
proceeds  of  a  recital  by  Maud  Powell  to  be  given  the  next  season  as  a 
specific  pledge  of  cooperation.  Thirteen  of  the  active  chapters  gave  one 
hundred  dollars  each;  four  gave  fifty  dollars  or  more;  each  of  the  twelve 
alumnte  chapters  gave  twenty-five  dollars  or  more ;  eight  alumnae 
clubs  gave  ten  dollars  each,  and  three  gave  smaller  amounts.  The  calendars, 
symphony  postcards,  and  convention  labels  were  published  for  the  benefit  of 
the  fund.  Other  sources  were  found  for  increasing  the  fund,  so  that  the  goal 
set  for  1915  convention  was  reached  and  passed.  The  report  of  the  Reserve 
Fund  Committee  set  the  sum  of  $8,000  as  the  goal  for  the  fund  for  the  1917 
convention. 

The  fund  has  been  managed  most  ably  by  the  chairman.  Mrs.  Loud,  and 
has  yielded  a  splendid  rate  of  interest  by  investment.  The  amount  of  the 
fund  has  been  at  the  disposal  of  the  Fraternity  since  the  $5,000  was  reached, 
and  has  been  used  carefullv  and  wisely  as  loans  to  chapters  for  house  building 
or  for  house  furnishing.  Nine  chapters  have  been  aided  in  some  wav  by 
such  loans  at  a  reasonable  rate  of  interest.  The  terms  upon  which  the  fund 
has  made  loans  to  chapters  for  building  purposes  are  sane  and  encourage 
the  chajjters  entering  upon  tlie  large  task  of  liouse  ownership.  .V  more 
complete  description  of  these  terms  will  be  found  in  the  chapter  on  House 
Ownership. 

The  ultimate  end  of  the  Reserve  Fund  is  for  an  endowment  for  the 
PTaternity.  The  desire  for  a  Scholarship  Fund  was  Ijut  abated.  After  the 
successful  launching  of  the  Reserve  Fund  the  attention  of  the  I-Taternity  was 
turned  toward  the  possibilities  for  the  long  desired  Scholarsliip  Fund.  .\ 
committee  which  had  been  appointed  previously  recommended  the  establish- 
ment of  such  a  fund  to  the  1915  Convention.  Personal  gifts  were  made 
by  members  of  the  convention.  The  adoption  of  a  sole  official  jeweler  resulted 
in  a  slight  profit  on  every  badge  purchased  and  this  amount,  to  be  paid  semi- 
annually was  turned  into  the  Scholarship  Fund.  A  portion  of  the  proceeds 
from  Alumna'  Notes  was  appropriated  likewise  for  the  funti.     .\fter  one  year 


66  TiiK  HisioRV  i)F  Alpha   Cjii   Omega   Fraternity 

the  Alumnit  Association   was  enabled   to   make  the   following   report  of  the 
Scholarship   Fund  receipts : 

Profits  on  sale  of  fraternity  badges    $228.00 

Proceeds  from  alumnai  notes   228.22 

Daily  Convention  Transcript 42.36 

Personal  Pledges 52.50  $551.08 


Five  active  members  representing  live  chapters  have  been  granted 
loans  for  1916-17.  The  advantages  of  a  loan  fund  of  this  nature  are 
unmistakable,  Miss  Zimmerman  says,  in  her  report  to  the  1916  Council  Meet- 
ing: "College  Courses,  like  everything  else,  are  costing  more  each  vear,  and 
the  Fraternity  as  a  whole  would  l)e  benefited  by  the  attempt  to  help  as  many 
of  our  girls  as  is  in  our  province,  to  remain  in  college.  In  this  connection 
let  me  cite  that  Kappa  Alpha  Theta  has  a  fund  of  $7,000  for  the  purpose, 
Delta  Gamma  has  $5,000,  Pi  Beta  Phi  $1,600,  Kappa  Kappa  (jamma  annually 
provides  ten  scholarships.  Gamma  Phi  Beta  and  Pi  Beta  Phi  are  working  for 
Association  of  Collegiate  Alumnse  fellowships  of  $500.  We  earnestly  hope 
that  the  alumnae  W'ill  make  this  fund  their  special  responsibilitv  for  the 
coming  year,  and  wall  help  us  to  raise  our  fund  to  $1,500  or  $2,000  by  the 
1917   Convention." 

The  third  of  the  permanent  funds  is  in  the  form  of  an  endowment  for  the 
magazine.  The  Lyre  Reserve  Fund.  Its  growth  and  purpose  are  described 
at  length  in  the  section  concerning  The  Lyre  and  will  not  be  repeated  in  this 
connection.  Like  the  other  funds  it  is  the  result  of  hard  work  and  persistent 
economy,  and  is  pregnant  with  large  good  in  the  future  to  the  Fraternity. 

The  property  which  is  owned  by  the  Fraternity  is  the  main  body  of  her 
wealth.  Chapter-house  ownership  began  when  the  Fraternity  was  eight  years 
old.  In  1895  Beta  built  the  substantial  brick  lodge  which  she  still  uses 
for  all  fraternity  purposes.  The  financial  interests  of  all  the  other  chapters 
were,  for  a  period,  directed  toward  house  furnishing  and  general  fraternity 
responsibilities  rather  than  toward  house  building.  In  consequence,  Avhile  the 
chapters  accrued  considerable  wealth  in  possessions,  not  until  1910  did  they 
report  house-building  funds,  and  not  until  1916  were  any  more  chapters  in 
actual  possession  of  their  own  homes. 

At  the  present  time  (1916),  Theta  (University  of  Michigan),  Lambda 
(Syracuse  University),  and  Kappa  (University  of  Wisconsin),  own  comfor- 
table and  elegant  homes  in  keeping  with  the  needs  of  a  fraternity.  Two  other 
chapters.  Iota  (LTniversitv  of  Illinois),  and  Omicron  (Baker  University), 
are  well  on  the  road  to  house-ownership ;  ten  other  chapters  are  working 
toward  the  same  end. 

All  chapters  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  reside  in  fraternity  houses  except  in 
the  four  cases  (A,  F,  Z,  M),  where  chapter  houses  are  debarred.  All  possess 
valuable  furnishings  and  all  will  own  their  homes  as  soon  as  it  is  possible  to 
do  so.  The  large  sums  exacted  for  rental  for  fraternity  houses  make  owner- 
ship of  their  home  by  the  Fraternity  a  good  investment  as  well  as  a  great 
satisfaction.   Tlie  matter  has  developed  in  an  unhurried  way  so  that  the  dangers 


MaIKKIAI,    I'OSSKSSIONS  67 

might  be  avoided  which  attend  liasty  housr  l)uihhn,i;-,  such  as  the  deterioratimi 
of  standards  of  menihershii),  over-eiiii)hasis  of  the  material  which  gixes  a  had 
perspective  in  the  college  perioti,  and  the  financial  o\er-l)urdening  of  under- 
graduates. Now  that  Alpha  Chi  Omega  has  reached  the  stage  when  house- 
ownership  is  a  safe  and  sane  ])roi)osition,  the  renting  of  fraternity  houses  is 
fast  giving  way  to  the  purchase  or  the  building  of  beautiful  homes. 

Every  chapter  has  its  building  fund  which  is  increased  annually  by  the 
proceeds  of  the  Alumn;e  Notes;  in  the  few  instances  where  chapter  houses 
are  not  practicable,  these  funds  are  i)ermitted  to  be  appro])riated  for  tlie 
equipment  of  the  chapter's  fraternity  rooms. 

The  financial  projects  of  the  future  include  a  Memorial  Hall  in  honor  of 
the  founders  to  be  erected  at  ( ireencastle,  Indiana,  as  a  home  for  the  mother 
chapter,  and  as  a  "treasure  hall"  for  the  archives  of  the  Fraternity;  the  ten 
new  chapter  houses  mentioned  above ;  the  increase  of  the  Scholarship  Fund  ; 
the  maintenance  oi  a  Fraternity  Vocational  Bureau  ;  national  altruistic  work  ; 
and  for  the  convenience  of  the  Fraternity,  the  establishment  of  a  central 
ofiice  equipped  for  the  handling  of  the  great  volume  of  the  business  of  the 
Fraternity,  with  a  salaried  officer  in  charge. 

By  the  following  table,  compiled  from  Baird's  Manual  for  1915,  some 
idea  of  the  relative  ranking  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  the  subject  of  material 
possessions  may  be  gained.  The  basis  for  Baird's  figures  is  dilTerent  frt)m 
and  more  restricted  than  that  used  in  our  compilation  of  the  possessions  oi 
Alpha  Chi  Omega.  Some  conception,  however,  though  imperfect,  is  thus 
to  be  attained  of  the  self-respecting  financial  condition  of  Alpha  Chi  (  )mega. 

M.AIKRIAI.    POSSKSSKINS   OK    SOMK    WOMEX's    FRATERXIll  KS 

Fraternity          Total  Wealth  Average       Date  Founded      Number  Chapters 

K  K  r  $125,250  $3,296  1870  3S 

A  r  118,500  4,558  1874  26 

n  B  <^  113,200  2,358  1867  48 

K  A  @  105,250  2,770  1870  38 

A  <I>  97,000  5.389  1872  18       • 

r  ^  B  95,200  5.950  1874  16 

X  O  67,500  2,109  1895  32 

AHA  41,600  2,080  1893  20 

AAA  36,800  708  1888  52 

ATA  26,000  1,857  1904  14 

2  K  20,000  1.538  1874  13 

A  O  n  15,200  950  1897  16 


CHAPTER  VII 
COLLEGES  IN  WHICH  ALPHA  CHI  OMEGA  HAS  CHAPTERS 

De  Pauw  University  (Alpha) 

Indiana  Asburv  University  was  founded  at  Greencastle,  Indiana,  in  the 
year  1837.  The  chief  promoter  and  leading  spirit  in  the  founding  of  old 
Asbury  was  Robert  R.  Roberts,  the  sixth  Bishop  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  America,  and  the  first  president  of  the  board  of  trustees.  The 
Rev.  Matthew  Simpson,  A.M..  was  elected  as  the  first  president  of  the  insti- 
tution. The  West  Campus  and  the  central  part  of  West  College  formed  the 
Universitv  Campus  at  that  time,  and  the  first  commencement  was  held  in  this 
building. 

During  the  administration  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Bowman  coeducation  was 
established  in  1867.  In  1870  the  corner  stone  of  East  College  was  laid  but 
the  construction  was  delayed  for  some  time  because  of  lack  of  funds.  In  1879 
the  old  West  College  building  was  partially  destroyed  by  fire  which  was  a 
severe  loss  to  the  University.  After  the  rel)uilding  the  institution  suffered 
financial  embarrassment,  but  was  saved  from  bankruptcv  in  1884  l)y  the 
benefaction  of  Washington  C.  De  Pauw. 

The  name  was  changed  to  De  Pauw  University,  and  the  plan  of  the  new 
University  included  schools  of  Liberal  Arts,  Law,  Medicine.  Theologv.  and 
special  schools.  The  growth  since  1884  has  been  steady  and  permanent, 
from  one  department  to  eight  organized  schools  and  again  concentrated 
into  three  ;  from  one  building  to  eleven  ;  from  five  teachers  to  a  faculty  of 
fifty,  and  from  five  students  to  the  present  enrolment  of  one  thousand. 

In  1912  the  endowment  reached  three  million  dollars  putting  De  Pauw 
in  line  for  claims  on  the  Rockefeller  and  Carnegie  foundations.  The  new 
gymnasium  known  as  the  Bowman  Memorial  Building  was  dedicated  in 
March,  1916,  and  marks  the  beginning  of  a  new  era  in  athletics  for  De  Pauw. 
The  institution  is  in  Class  A  under  the  auspices  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  The  distinguished  line  of  presidents,  many  of  whom  later  became 
bishops  in  the  church,  shows  the  character  of  the  institution  and  the  quality 
of  work  done  here.  Lmder  the  present  leadership  of  Dr.  George  Richmond 
Grose  the  old  school  is  in  its  brightest  era  and  the  Music  School,  under  the 
direction  of  Dean  R.  G.  McCutchan.  is  keeping  pace  with  all  other  depart- 
ments of  the  Universitv. 

De  Pauw  University  is  situated  in  Greencastle,  Indiana,  a  city  of  four 
thousand  inhabitants,  forty  miles  west  of  Indianapolis.  The  campuses  are 
six  in  number,  and  are  situated  near  the  center  of  the  citv.  West  Campus, 
which  was  the  original  site,  consists  of  four  and  one-half  acres.  This  is  the 
seat  of  West  College,  the  original  university  building,  and  contains  various 
lecture-rooms  and  the  Gough  Little  Theatre.  Middle  College  and  the  power- 
house are  also  located  on  these  grounds.  Center  Campus  contains  eight  and 
one-half  acres,  and  is  the  seat  of  East  College,  in  which  the  work  of  the 
College  of  Liberal  Arts  is  chiefly  done,  the  D.  W.  Minshall  Laboratory,  and 


Colleges  in  Which  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Has  Chapters  69 

the  Carnegie  Library.  On  East  Campus,  a  tract  of  four  acres,  are  located 
Woman's  Hall,  the  School  of  Music,  and  Simpson  Hall,  originally  Art  School, 
but  now  the  Domestic  Science  Building,  and  the  college  tennis  courts.  South 
of  the  campus  is  situated  the  new  $100,000  Bishop  Bowman  Memorial  Gym- 
nasium, which  contains  the  main  gymnasium  floor,  social  rooms,  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
and  Y.  W.  C.  A.  rooms,  swimming  pool,  shower  and  locker  rooms,  rooms  for 
fencing,  boxing,  and  wrestling,  and  cjuarters  for  the  home  and  visiting  athletic 
teams.  On  the  South  Campus,  containing  seven  and  one-half  acres,  are 
located  Rosa  Bowser  and  Florence  Hall.  McKeen  Field  lies  just  beyond  the 
city  limits  on  the  west.  University  Park  is  a  tract  of  seventeen  acres,  on  which 
McKim  Observatory  is  located. 

De  Pauw  University  is  noted  for  the  ministers  and  missionaries  it  has 
furnished.  Four  of  the  former  presidents  of  the  university  were  made 
bishops  of  the  Methodist  Church :  Matthew  Simpson,  Thomas  Bowman, 
Edwin  Holt  Hughes,  and  Francis  J.  McConnell.  Some  of  the  noted  De  Pauw 
missionaries  are:  Verling  W.  Helm,  J.  Howell  Pyke,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
William  A.  Fockwood.  There  are  Miss  Oolooah  Burner,  a  great  Y.  W.  C.  A. 
worker;  Earnest  C.  Wareing,  editor  of  the  JVcstcrn  Christian  Advocate; 
Robert  Zaring,  editor  of  the  Northwestern  Christian  Advocate;  and  Dr. 
Hillary  A.  Gobin.  great  preacher,  teacher,  and  ex-college  president;  United 
States  senators.  James  Harlan,  Daniel  W.  Voorhees,  Albert  J.  Beveridge, 
Newton  Booth;  Congressman,  James  E.  Watson;  Secretary  of  Navy,  Richard 
W.  Thompson ;  great  educator,  William  A.  Wirt,  Superintendent  of  the  Gary, 
Indiana,  schools;  great  lecturers,  John  De  Mott,  and  John  P.  D.  John; 
and  Lemuel  H.  Murlin,  president  of  Boston  University.  We  have  several 
great  author-graduates,  including  John  Clark  Ridpath.  the  historian ;  Mary 
Ridpath  Mann;  David  Graham  Phillips,  the  novelist;  U'illiam  R.  Halstead, 
and  Mrs.  Julia  Nelson  Penfield,  a  great  suffragist  worker. 

The  fraternities  for  women  at  De  Pauw  are:  K  A  0,  1870 ;  K  K  F,  1875  ; 
A  X  O,  1885;  A  ^,  1888;  A  O  IT,  1907;  AAA.  1908;  ATA,  1908; 
A  Z,  1909. 

The  fraternities  for  men  are:  B  0  n,  1845  ;  $  F  A.  1856;  2  X.  1859; 
^  K  *,  1865  ;  A  K  E,  1866  ;  $  A  0,  1868 ;  A  T  A,  187  1  ;  A  Y,  1887  ;  2  N, 
1890;  A  X  A,  1915;  B  $,  1915. 

The  College  Panhellenic  was  organized  at  De  Pauw  University  in  1903. 
It  is  now  composed  of  the  eight  fraternities  of  the  university.  K  A  0,  A  X  fi, 
A  $,  A  O  n,  A  A  A,  A  r  A,  K  K  r,  and  A  Z.  The  group  being  very  well 
organized,  it  was  possible,  under  the  presidency  of  A  X  f)  in  the  year 
1915-1916,  that  more  significant  work  could  be  done.  A  great  effort  has  been 
made  to  cooperate  with  the  Dean  of  Women  in  the  regulation  of  the  chapter 
houses,  and  in  the  general  college  movements,  as  promulgated  by  the  Women's 
Self-government  Association,  as  well  as  in  regulating  the  rushing  season  and 
in  feeling  a  sense  of  responsibility  in  all  women's  interests. 

After  a  most  successful  rushing  season  Panhellenic  turned  to  accomplish 
a  distinctive  constructive  work. 


70  'I'liK   MisioRv  OF  Ali'Ha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Tlic  specific  things  which  Panhelleiiic  has  done,  aside  from  regulating 
a  most  successful  short  rush,  are  the  revision  of  a  constitution  and  the  printing 
of  it ;  the  adoption  of  uniform  scholarship  Ijlanks,  and  uniform  house  rules. 
A  series  of  fraternity  dinners  were  held  every  two  weeks,  each  Panhellenic 
representative  visiting  each  fraternity  house  with  the  representative  of  some 
other  fraternity.  The  movement  toward  securing  a  college  nurse  originated  in 
Panhellenic.  and  altliough  nothing  definite  has  been  done,  yet  something 
along  that  line  will  be  accomplished  next  year.  Interesting  articles  from  fra- 
ternity magazines  and  the  general  work  of  each  organization  and  of  National 
Panhellenic  in  general  have  been  discussed  and  found  most  profitable.  Talks 
from  the  National  Officers  of  A  T  A  and  A  $  and  from  others  were  appreci- 
ated. The  energy  of  the  organization  has  been  directed  toward  raising  intelli- 
gently  the  plane   of    fraternity   life   and    interfraternity   relationships. 

At  De  Pauw,  there  is  "Old  Gold  Day,"  in  the  fall.  The  college  color  i.s 
old  gold,  and  on  this  day  we  pay  our  due  respects  to  it,  which  are  to  last  the 
remainder  of  the  college  year.  This  day  is  given  over  to  the  men  of  the 
college,  while  May  Day  is  given  to  the  women.  A  special  chapel  is  held  at 
eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  class  football  games  are  played,  and  the  class 
pennants  and  the  De  Pauw  pennant  are  raised  to  the  floating  breezes,  on  the 
college  flag-pole.  In  the  afternoon  the  Freshman-Sophomore  scrap  is  held 
before  the  big  college  game.  In  the  evening,  a  bonfire  and  sing  is  held 
before  the  vaudeville.  At  this  time,  each  sororitv  and  fraternity  give  a  fifteen- 
minute  vaudeville  stunt. 

May  Day  is  a  day  for  the  college  girls  to  be  in  prominence.  There  are 
the  folk-dances  on  the  campus  green,  the  crowning  of  the  May  Queen,  and  the 
coed  play,  at  night. 

Albion  College  (Beta) 

Albion  College  is  located  at  Albion,  Michigan,  township  of  Albion,  and 
County  of  Calhoun.  The  college  campus  proper  contains  eighteen  acres, 
aside  from  the  athletic  field  of  sixteen  acres.  It  is  on  rising  ground,  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  city,  in  one  of  the  best  residential  districts. 

In  the  year  1833,  Rev.  Henry  Colclazer,  F.ev.  Elijah  H.  Pilcher,  and 
Benjamin  H.  Packard,  M.D.,  resolved  to  inaugurate  a  movement  for  the 
establishment  of  an  academy  of  higher  learning  in  Michigan.  Spring  Arbor 
was  chosen  as  a  location  and  in  the  spring  of  1835  the  Legislature  granted  a 
charter  under  the  corporate  name  of  "'Spring  Arbor  Academy,"  locating  the 
institution  on  the  site  of  an  old  Indian  village,  in  the  town  of  Spring  Arbor. 
In  the  spring  of  1839  the  charter  was  amended,  locating  the  school  at  Albion 
and  reconstructing  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

In  November,  1843,  the  first  building  was  completed  and  opened  for  the 
reception  of  students.  Rev.  Charles  F.  Stockwell,  A.M.,  a  graduate  of 
Wesleyan  University,  w^as  appointed  principal. 

In  1849,  the  charter  was  amended  by  the  creation  of  a  Female  College, 
so  that  the  corporate  name  became  "Wesleyan  Seminary  and  Female  Collegi- 
ate Institute."  The  institution  was  empowered  to  confer  degrees  on  both 
men  and  women,  the  corporate  name  becoming  "Albion  College." 


Colleges  in  Which  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Has  Chapters  71 

In  1907.  the  charter  was  amended  giving  the  institution  enlarged  powers. 
The  management  of  the  institution  is  vested  in  a  Board  of  Trustees,  six 
elected  by  the  Detroit  Conference  of  the  Methodist  I^piscopal  Church,  six 
by  the  Michigan  Conference,  and  six  by  the  Society  of  Alumni. 

Great  personages  connected  with  Albion  College  are :  Dr.  Samuel  Dickey, 
President  of  the  College;  Owen  Lovejoy,  Child  Labor;  Dr.  Delos  Fall, 
Educational  Circles;  Frank  Fall,  Bursar  of  New  York  University;  Dr.  E.  H. 
Townsend,  University  of  Illinois,  Head  of  the  Mathematics  Department ; 
Professor  Gordon,  Head  of  (ieology  Department,  University  of  Tennessee; 
Dr.  Roland  Palmeter,  known  in  Medical  lines  ;  Arthur  Price,  President  of 
Texas  College;  Arthur  Westbrook,  Head  of  Conservatory  of  University  of 
Kansas ;  Professor  Moulton,  Chicago  University. 

The  fraternities  represented  are :  AX  fi,  1887  ;  A  T,  1883 ;  A  H  A,  1915. 
Men's  fraternities  are:   A  T  ,n,  1889;   2  X,  1886;    2  N,  1895;   ATA.  1876. 

Traditions  for  which  the  college  is  noted  are  the  number  of  men  and 
w^omen  strong  in  the  pedagogical  world ;  for  orators  and  debaters,  ministers 
and  missionaries,  Y.  W.  C.  A.  and  Y.  M.  C.  A.  secretaries  and  social  service 
workers. 

Northwestern  University  (Gamma) 
On  May  31,  1850,  there  met  in  the  city  of  Chicago,  at  the  office  of  Grant 
Goodrich,  109  Lake  Street,  nine  men  to  consider  the  founding  of  a  univer- 
sity in  the  vicinity  of  Chicago.  They  agreed  that  "The  interests  of  Christian 
learning  demand  the  immediate  establishment  of  a  university  in  the  North- 
west." and  appointed  a  committee  to  petition  the  General  Assembly  for  a 
charter.  January  28,  1851,  Governor  French  signed  the  Act  that  incorporated 
''The  Trustees  of  the  Northwestern  Lhiiversity."  The  name  of  the  university 
has  since  been  changed  to  Northwestern  University. 

The  corporation  as  at  present  constituted  consists  of  thirty-six  trustees, 
elected  by  the  Board,  and  two  elected  by  each  of  three  annual  conferences  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  making  a  total  of  forty-two.  The  charter 
provides  that  a  majority  of  the  Board  shall  be  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  but  that  no  particular  religious  faith  shall  be  required  of 
those  who  become  students  of  the  institution.  Amendments  have  provided 
that  other  chartered  institutions  may  become  departments  of  the  university; 
that  all  property  of  whatever  kind  or  description  belonging  to  or  owned  by  the 
said  corporation  shall  be  forever  free  from  taxation  for  any  and  all  purposes  ; 
that  no  spirituous,  vinous,  or  fermented  liquors  shall  be  sold,  under  license  or 
otherwise,  within  four  miles  of  the  location  of  the  university. 

After  considering  several  locations  in  the  vicinity  of  Chicago,  the  trustees 
selected  from  the  university  a  tract  of  land  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan, 
twelve  miles  north  of  the  heart  of  Chicago.  Here  in  1850  the  first  university 
building  was  erected  and  about  this  location  has  grown  up  the  City  of 
Evanston,  a  beautiful  residential  city  of  thirty  thousand  inhabitants.  The 
professional  schools  of  Medicine,  Law.  Pharmacy.  Dentistry,  and  Commerce 
are  situated  in  the  city  of  Chicago. 


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Colleges  in  Which  Ai.i'ha  Chi  Omega  Has  Chapiers  73 

The  University  Campus  in  I'>vanstoii  has  an  area  of  about  seventy-five 
acres  and  is  beautifully  situated  on  the  sliore  of  Lake  Michigan,  two  miles 
from  the  northern  limit  of  the  city  of  Chicago.  On  the  South  Campus  are 
the  buildings  of  the  College  of  Liberal  Arts,  the  College  of  Kngineering, 
Garrett  Biblical  Institute,  Evanston  Academy,  the  School  of  Oratory ;  and 
on  the  North  Campus  are  the  Ovmnasium.  tlie  Observatorv.  and  eleven  fra- 
ternitv  and  college  houses  for  nun.  The  School  of  Music,  WiUard  Hall  and 
Chapin  Hall,  dormitories  for  women,  arc  on  W'illard  Hall  Campus  distant 
from  the  L'niversitv  Canijius  about  three  minutes'  walk.  Near  Willard  Hall 
Cam])us  are  the  Moose  House  and  Lniilv  Huntington  Miller  House.  The 
buildings  of  the  Medical  School  aiul  of  the  School  of  Pharmacy  are  in 
Chicago,  between  Twenty-fourtli  and  Twenty-fifth  Streets  on  Dearl)orn 
Street.  The  Schools  of  Law,  Dentistry,  and  Commerce  are  in  the  University 
Building,  at  the  Corner  of  Lake  and  Dearborn  Streets. 

Northwestern  purchased  in  1872  "The  I^vanston  Female  College."  That 
was  the  beginning  of  coeducation  at  Northwestern  and  the  building  became 
known  as  the  W'illard  Hall,  in  honor  of  Frances  Willard.  The  dormitory 
accommodates  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  (125)  girls.  There  are 
several  other  dormitories  at  Northwestern  which  are  not  owned  by  the 
university. 

The  women's  fraternities  represented  are :  A  $,  A  F,  K  K  r.  K  A  0,  F  $  B, 
A  X  fi,  n  B  a>,  A  A  A,  X  n.  K  A,  A  O  n,  A  F  A,  2  A  I,  Z  $  H,  ^  B,  Q  Y, 
2  A  F,  H  F,  and  M  $  E.  The  men's  fraternities  are:  2  X,; 
«l>  K  2,  B  0  n,  $  K  »I',  A  Y,  $  A  0,  A  T  A,  2  A  E,  S  N,  and  *  M  A. 

Allegheny  College    (Delta) 

r)ld  Allegheny,  for  a  period  of  one  hundred  remarkable  vears,  has  stood  on 
the  top  of  one  of  the  beautiful  foothills  of  the  Alleghenies.  Below  and 
around  it  lies  the  city  of  Meadville,  Pennsvlvania,  situated  in  the  valley  of 
French  Creek.  From  the  tower  of  Old  Bentley  can  be  seen  in  the  distance  the 
beautiful  and  diversified  panorama  of  tlie  surrounding  countrvside — the  beau- 
tiful winding  Cussewago,  as  it  enters  French  Creek ;  the  deeply  wooded 
ravines ;  the  fields  of  waving  grain ;  and  in  the  distance.  Round  Top ;  while 
near  at  hand  the  beauties  of  the  campus  liold  the  eve — the  fine  lawn  shaded 
abundantly  by  the  great  old  trees;  and  cut  by  the  natural  ravine. 

How'  many  faithful  men  have  labored  and  striven  to  make  this  college 
what  it  is !  Li  the  year  1815,  aroused  by  the  ambition  and  energy  of  the  young 
Timothy  Alden,  a  Presbyterian  preacher  and  teacher  from  New  York,  the 
citizens  of  Meadville,  then  a  frontier  town  of  four  lumdred  inliabitants, 
founded  the  present  institution.  The  charter  was  conferred  in  1817.  The 
first  large  building.  Bentley  Hall,  was  built  in  1820,  in  honor  of  the  Rev. 
William  Bentley.  who  left  to  the  college  his  library  valued  at  $3,000.  Hard 
times  now  began  to  beset  the  bravely  founded  institution.  The  petition  made 
by  Alden  to  the  Erie  Presbytery,  that  they  take  Allegheny  under  their  patron- 
age, was  refused.  At  this  time  the  state  appropriation  was  also  withdrawn. 
In    1831    Alden,   broken-hearted,    resigned,    and    for   a   time   it    looked   as   if 


74  The   History  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Allegheny  College  was  to  pass  from  existence.  But  the  fates  decreed  other- 
wise, for  in  the  year  1833,  through  the  efforts  of  Homer  J.  Clark,  the  Pitts- 
burgh Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church  took  it  under  its  patronage ;  and 
the  Rev.  Martin  Ruter  was  made  president.  Through  the  inextinguishable 
zeal  and  effort  of  the  different  presidents,  the  institution  grew  and  flourished. 
At  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War  a  company  was  organized  to  go  to  war  from 
the  college.  Alleghenv  was  one  of  the  first  colleges  in  the  country  to  take  the 
forward  step  of  admitting  young  women  to  the  college.  This  was  done  in 
1870.  This  advancement  has  continued  until  now  the  college  has  a  high 
standing,  and  twelve  good  buildings.  In  1915  a  great  pageant  was  given, 
celebrating  the  century's  work. 

Many  men  of  worth  and  note  have  spent  their  college  days  within  the 
portals  of  Allegheny.  There  have  been  judges,  congressmen,  bishops,  clergy- 
men, doctors,  lawyers,  business  men — men  in  every  trade  and  profession  of 
life.  William  McKinley,  the  much  beloved  president  of  our  great  common- 
wealth, spent  a  period  of  his  college  days  within  the  shelter  of  its  walls. 
A  goodly  number  of  bishops  have  received  here  their  incentive.  Noteworthy 
among  these  is  Bishop  James  M.  Thoburn.  who  spent  the  prime  of  his  life 
as  a  missionary  in  India.  Two  bishops,  William  F.  Oldham  and  Charles 
Bayard  Mitchell,  elected  in  1916  by  the  Methodist  General  Conference,  were 
graduates  of  Allegheny.  Ida  M.  Tarbell,  the  world  famous  investigator  and 
author,  was  among  the  first  women  students  to  attend  the  college.  F.  P. 
Howe,  the  immigrant  commissioner ;  Frederick  C.  Palmer,  the  war  correspon- 
dent; A.  W.  Thompson;  and  Dr.  Ernest  A.  Bell,  all  men  of  sterling  worth, 
graduated  from  Old  Allegheny. 

The  women's  fraternities  at  Allegheny  are  K  A  ©,  1881  ;  K  K  T,  1888; 
A  X  ri,  1891  ;  and  ATA,  1912.  The  men's  fraternities  are  :  <^  K  *,  1855  ; 
$  r  A,  1860 ;  A  T  A,  1863  ;  $  A  ©,  1879  ;  2  A  E,  1887  ;  A  X  P,  1914.  A 
Panhellenic  Association  was  formed  by  the  women's  fraternities  in  1904. 

There  are  three  honorary  fraternities  in  the  institution.  $  B  K  was 
organized  in  1901.  In  the  year  1913  tAvo  others  were  installed,  A  2  P,  and 
A  X  2. 

Like  all  other  institutions  Allegheny  has  many  traditions  and  customs. 
Perhaps  the  most  important  tradition  is  the  great  number  of  clergymen  who 
have  gone  forth  from  the  institution.  There  are  many  customs  which  pertain 
to  the  freshmen  such  as  the  green  and  yellow  caps,  rules  for  freshmen  pub- 
lished by  the  college  council,  and  the  custom  of  freshmen  remaining  seated  in 
chapel  until  the  upperclassmen  have  gone  out.  One  of  the  finest  customs  is 
the  Annual  Washington's  Birthday  Banquet.  It  is  a  big  college  dinner  held  in 
the  gymnasium.  All  the  classes  vie  with  one  another  in  stunts,  costumes,  and 
songs.  Founders'  Day,  April  24,  is  always  observed.  In  connection  with  the 
exercises  of  commencement  week  is  "Class  Day"  and  the  farewell  addresses 
to  the  buildings  by  the  seniors. 

For  over  a  century  this  college  has  struggled  and  striven  in  the  midst  of 
many  difficulties,  and  at  last  has  come  out  victorious.     It  is  known  everywhere 


Colleges  in  Which  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Has  Chapters  75 

as  a  splendid  institution  for  learning  :  the  beauty  of  its  surroundings  and 
campus  are  unexcelled;  it  has  inaii\-  noted  alumni  and  it  is  well  represented  in 
the  Greek-letter  world. 

The  University  of  Southern  California  (Kpsilon) 

The  University  of  Southern  California  is  scattered  throughout  the  city  of 
Los  Angeles,  each  department  being  on  the  site  most  advantageous  for  its 
work.  The  College  of  Law  is  situated  near  the  Court  House  and  large  County 
Law  Library.  Fine  Arts  revels  in  the  beauties  of  the  Arroyo  Seco  in  Garvanza. 
Medicine  enjoys  the  advantage  of  the  Angelus  Hospital  Clinic,  one  of  the 
largest  and  best  equipped  in  the  West.  The  colleges  of  Dentistry  and  Music 
also  are  situated  in  opposite  parts  of  the  city.  The  University  Campus 
proper,  the  gathering  place  of  all  the  "Varsity  Spirit,"  is  in  the  southwestern 
part,  within  a  block  of  l^xposition  Park,  where  many  of  the  famous  exhibits  of 
the  world  are  displayed.  Here  are  situated  the  Colleges  of  Liberal  Arts, 
Pharmacy,  Engineering,  Theology,  and  Oratory,  occupying,  with  the  athletic 
field,  gymnasium,  and  training  quarters,  a  tract  two  large  blocks  square. 

The  Liberal  Arts  building  tvpifies  the  spirit  of  California.  It  is  a  gray 
plaster  edifice,  fast  covering  with  vines,  and  surrounded  by  green  lawns 
shaded  with  large  trees.  To  the  south  there  is  a  section  planted  entirely  with 
California  poppies,  and  in  the  spring  this  is  one  mass  of  golden  bloom. 

The  university  was  incorporated  as  a  Methodist  Episcopal  Institution  in 
1880.  The  policy  of  the  trustees,  however,  so  limited  the  lield  of  activities 
that  financial  difficulties  rose,  and  it  did  not  come  into  prominence  in  the 
educational  world  until  1900.  when  endowments  were  secured,  the  faculty  was 
increased,  and  new  departments  added.  Fhe  policy  of  the  administration  has 
continually  broadened,  until  now  it  is  practically  a  nonsectarian  institution. 
In  1910  the  graduate  school  was  given  a  signal  honor  by  being  recognized  as 
on  a  par  with  similar  schools  of  Stanford  and  the  University  of  California. 
In  this  year  also  the  State  Board  of  Education  accorded  the  privilege  to  the 
university  of  granting  the  State  High  School  Teachers'  Certificate  to  gradu- 
ate members.  At  present  there  are  plans  for  a  two  million  dollar  endowment 
fund  to  be  raised,  and  in  case  this  is  accomplished.  University  of  Southern 
California  will  have  a  new  campus,   dormitories,  and  buildings. 

There  are  thirteen  national  men's  fraternities  in  the  university,  and  seven 
locals.  2  X  was  founded  in  1889;  0  *  (local),  in  1897;  $  A  (local),  in 
1898;  a>N  A  (local),  in  1906;  2T  (local),  in  1910;  K^  T  (local),  in  1912; 
Z  K  E  (local),  in  1912;  A  B  T  (local),  in  1916;  A  X,  in  1910;  *  P  2,  in 
1896;  4>X,  in  1910;  A  K  K,  in  1913:  *  A  X,  in  1907;  *  fi,  in  1904;  A  2  A,  in 
1906;  H*«I>,  in  1914;  TK  A,  in  1915;  2  I  X,  in  1916;^  A  $,  in  1907;  $  A  A, 
in  1911;  and  A  0  $,  in  1912.  The  honorary  debating  fraternity,  A  2  P, 
was  installed  in  1915. 

Of  the  ten  women's  fraternities,  five  are  local.  A  P  (local)  was  estab- 
lished in  1895  :  A  X  n.  in  1895  :  Entre  Nous  f local),  in  1895  :  B  ^  (local), 
in  1902;  Z  T  A.  in  1910;  $  M.  in  1915;  T  *  (local),  in  1916;  A  T  (local 
Fine  Arts),  in   1915;   4>  A   A.   in    I'M!  :   and   X  2  ^.   in    H)14.      Panhellenic: 


76  Till-;   Hisi()R\    OF  ,\lpha   C"hi   Omega   Fraihrxity 

was  organized  in  1906  through  the  efforts  of  A  X  i7,  then  the  only  national 
fraternity.  'I'hrough  their  efforts,  however,  National  Panhellenic  rules  have 
heen  followed,  and  many  of  the  difTiculties  arising  from  so  many  local  chap- 
ters have  heen  overcome.  There  have  heen  manv  prohlems  arising  from  this 
situation  to  he  solved  ;  hut  the  gradual  increase  of  nationals  has  lessened  this 
considerahly.  The  Panhellenic  organization  has  done  much  in  coopera- 
tion with  the  Y.  W.  C.  A.  in  charity  work,  and  hy  giving  monthly  candy 
sales  sufficient  money  has  heen  realized  to  aid  considerably  a  number  of  poor 
families  of  the  city.  In  past  years  it  has  been  the  custom  for  the  fra- 
ternity women  to  meet  once  a  month  at  the  various  houses  and  sew  for 
charity  while  discussing  university  problems.  This  has  been  supplanted  this 
year  by  exchange  dinners,  when  the  girls  of  two  fraternities  meet  once  a  month 
round  the  dinner  table.  This  has  brought  the  girls  of  the  different  frater- 
nities in  closer  touch  with  one  another,  and  has  been  instrumental  in  bring- 
ing about  a  more  harmonious  feeling  in  Panhellenic.  This  vear,  through 
their  efforts,  the  administration  of  the  university  has  recognized  dancing  as 
legitimate  in  the  fraternity  houses,  and  has  appointed  a  competent  dean  of 
w^omen  to  chaperon  these  aft'airs. 

The  University  of  Southern  California  has  been  noted  in  the  Southwest 
as  the  Alma  Mater  of  some  of  the  brilliant  professional  and  business  men. 
Dr.  Stabler  of  the  College  of  Pharmacy  has  brought  fame  to  the  campus  by 
his  discovery  of  the  bleaching  process  of  walnuts,  and  also  the  means  of 
transforming  California  oil  into  gasoline  and  distillate.  The  Spanish  Depart- 
ment is  growing  rapidlv.  and  many  of  the  recent  missionaries  for  the  South 
American  fields  have  been  trained  in  this  institution.  In  the  eastern  states 
the  university  has  been  brought  into  prominence  by  our  athletes,  two  of 
whom,  Fred  Kelly  and  Howard  Drew,  won  the  Olympic  championships  in 
1912.  Both  hold  world  records  in  their  events,  the  120-yard  high  hurdles, 
and  100  and  200-yard  dashes.  Track  has  been  the  varsity's  strong  point,  and 
many  of  the  coast  records  are  held  by  University  of  Southern  California 
men. 

( )f  college  and  university  customs  there  are  many  which  are  dear  to  the 
hearts  of  all  the  students.  The  duck  pond  and  the  hose  stand  above  every 
freshman's  head,  and  he  follows  steadfastly  the  ways  of  his  predecessors. 
No  "Frosh"  can  "queen"  on  the  front  steps  or  in  the  windows  of  the  Liberal 
Arts  Building.  Every  freshman  man  must  be  on  hand  to  sweep  the  bleachers 
before  the  big  games,  and  it  is  his  duty  also  to  gather  the  wood  for  the 
big  bonfire  for  the  rally  before  the  California  football  game,  when  all 
underclassmen  turn  out  for  the  annual  "pajamarino." 

The  first  class  event  of  the  college  year  is  the  freshman-sophomore  color 
rush,  when  the  entering  class  tries  to  bring  down  the  second  year  colors  from 
the  top  of  a  greased  pole,  and  tramp  them  in  the  dust.  Then  on  Halloween 
comes  the  university  party,  when  everybody  is  introduced  into  the  mystic 
regions  of  the  gymnasium,  where  the  ghosts  reign  for  that  one  night.  The 
May  Festival  is  another  of  the  larger  affairs  of  the  college  year.  This  is 
held  under  the  trees   of   the   campus,   where   the   queen  and  her  court   are 


CoLLKCEs  IN  ^^'HICI^  Ai.i'iiA  Cui  Omk(3a  Has  Chapters  77 

entertained   by   the   folk,  dances   of   every   country,   given  by   the   gymnasium 
classes  in  costume. 

The  juniors  first  appear  in  jirominencc  when  they  present  the  junior 
play,  usually  about  the  first  of  December.  Then  in  tlie  spring  they  have 
the  Junior  Circus,  which  has  been  very  cleverly  handled.  The  proceeds 
from  these  performances  are  used  for  the  El  Rodeo,  the  university  yearbook, 
which  is  })ublished  by  that  class. 

During  the  commencement  week  there  is  one  day  which  is  characteristic 
of  the  institution,  on  which  the  seniors  hand  down  the  traditions  of  the 
uni\-L'rsitv  and  class  to  the  juniors,  to  be  guarded  by  them  during  the  coming 
vear.  Then  the  two  classes  "burv  the  hatchet"  from  then  on,  and  the  two 
presidents  smoke  the  pipe  of  peace.  The  "mystery  bag,"  the  contents  of  which 
no  one  knows,  or  ever  will,  is  given  for  the  juniors'  safe-keeping,  as  well  as 
the  "dog-on-button."  This  is  a  small  brass  dog  mounted  on  a  silver  pin, 
which  goes  to  seniors  during  the  year  who  are  able  to  make  a  professor 
laugh  out  loud  in  the  presence  of  another  senior — no  easy  task  to  accom- 
plish. After  these  ceremonies  the  senior  class  plants  some  ivy  around  the 
Liberal  Arts  Building,  symbolic  of  the  class  growth,  but  still  clinging  to 
the  Alma  Mater.     From  this  the  day  takes  its  name  of  Ivy  Day. 

The  Lottie  Lane  Prize  of  the  University  of  Southern  California  was  estab- 
lished by  Mrs.  Charlotte  A.  Thompson  as  a  memorial  to  her  deceased  daughter. 
The  prize  is  an  elaborate  gold  medal,  and  is  to  be  presented  each  year  at 
commencement  to  that  member  of  the  graduating  class  who  shall  have 
maintained  the  highest  general  scholarship  throughout  the  whole  college 
course.  Students  w-ho  have  taken  more  than  four  academic  years  to  complete 
the  course,  and  those  who  have  received  credit  for  work  done  elsewhere  than 
in  this  university,  are  not  eligible  for  this  prize.  Kpsilon  was  very  proud 
indeed  to  have  this  medal  awarded  to  Lucy  Adams  in  1915. 

Last,  but  far  from  least,  is  the  hymn  to  Alma  Mater.  No  game  is  won 
or  lost,  or  no  "jolly-up"  complete  without  praise  being  sung  to  her  who 
made  all  these  traditions  possible — 

"Our  Own  Dear   U.  S.   C." 
Alma  Mater  of  the  University  oe  Southern  Camfornia 
'Mid  storied  lands  our  college  stands 
'Mid  scenes  oft  traced  in  dreaming. 
Where   golden   sands    with    golden    fruit 
And  golden  grain  are  teeming. 
But  ne'er   a  spot   though   seeming   fair, 
On  mountain,  shore,  or  lea. 
In  keeping  has  such  memories  as 
The  halls  of  U.  S.  C. 

We  dwell  "neath  ever  sunny  skies, 
'Mid  flowers   ever   springing, 
Where  pleasing  verdure  never  dies, 
And  birds  are  always  singing, 


78  The  Hisiokv  uk  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

'Mid  whispers  of  eternal  seas, 
That    ever   shall    endure — 
Oh,  U.  S.  C,  our  love  for  thee 
Unchanging  is,  and  sure. 

Oh,   dear   old   school,   thy   classrooms  are 

To  us  new  worlds  revealing ; 

Thy  rallying  times  have  sent  new  life 

Into  our  being  stealing; 

Thy  ties  have  bound  us  each  to  each, 

And  brightened  all  our  days, 

And  life  means  more,  a  boundless  store, 

Since  we  have  trod  thy  ways. 

And    when    the    restless,    hopeful   years 

To  other  scenes  may  woo  us. 

And  joys  and  struggles  of  these  years 

Are  but  a  memory  to  us, 

Amid  life's  disappointing  cares 

Our  hearts  will  turn  to  thee. 

And  for  thy  sake  fresh  courage  take, 

Our  own  dear  U.  S.  C. 

New  England  Conservatory  of  Music  (Zeta) 

The  New  England  Conservatory  of  Music,  incorporated  in  1870  by  a 
special  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  claims  1853 
as  the  date  of  its  origin,  since  in  that  year  its  founder.  Dr.  Eben  Tourjee, 
introduced  into  America  the  conservatory  system  of  musical  instruction. 
In  the  year  1882,  the  growing  needs  of  the  institution  led  to  the  purchase 
of  an  estate  on  Franklin  Square,  which  it  occupied  until  the  close  of  the 
school  year  1901-02,  when  it  became  necessary  to  seek  more  ample  accom- 
modation. With  the  opening  of  the  school  year  1902-1903,  the  Conserva- 
tory took  possession  of  its  new  building  on  Huntington  Avenue,  corner  of 
Gainsborough   Street. 

This  building  is  constructed  on  the  most  approved  modern  plans,  is 
fireproof,  and  is  especially  adapted  to  the  needs  of  a  school  of  music.  The 
material  used  in  the  exterior  construction  is  steel-gray  brick  and  Indiana 
limestone.  On  the  first  floor  are  the  business  offices,  reception  rooms,  a  few 
classrooms,  the  music  store,  and  two  auditoriums.  The  basement  contains 
additional  classrooms,  the  printing-room,  and  electric  plant. 

The  larger  auditorium,  Jordan  Hall,  is  the  gift  of  Mr.  Eben  D.  Jordan, 
President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  It  has  a  seating  capacity  of  over  one 
thousand,  and  its  acoustic  properties  are  universally  recognized  as  excep- 
tionally fine.  The  equipment  of  the  hall  includes  a  fine  concert  organ  and  a 
large   stage,    especially   adapted    to    orchestral    and   choral    concerts    and    to 


Colleges  ix  ^\'HIL■H  Alpha  Cm  Omega  Has  Chapters  79 

operatic  performances.  Here  the  conservatory  orchestral  and  choral  con- 
certs and  the  recitals  of  the  faculty  and  advanced  students  are  given.  The 
hall  is  also  frequently  used  by  visiting  artists  for  their  public  concerts. 
Among  the  many  who  have  recently  appeared  here  are  Messrs.  Busoni,  Josef 
Hofmann,  de  Pachmann,  Harold  Bauer,  l^rnest  Schelling,  Lhevinne,  Kreisler. 
Thiebaut,  Zimbalist,  Bispham,  Clement,  and  Slezak;  Mmes.  Teresa  Carreno, 
Katherine  Goodson,  Misses  Elena  (jerhardt.  Maggie  Teyte,  Julia  Culp,  and 
Kathleen  Parlow  ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anton  Witek,  the  Flonzaley  Quartet,  the 
Longy  Club,  the  Cecilia  Society,  and  the  Apollo  Club. 

The  smaller  auditorium,  seating  over  four  hundred,  is  used  for  lectures 
and  pupils'  recitals  and  for  the  dramatic  and  opera  departments ;  also  as 
an  assembly  hall  for  social  purposes. 

The  second  floor  of  the  building  contains  the  musical  library  and  a 
large  number  of  classrooms.  The  third  floor  is  devoted  to  classrooms  and 
to  the  organ  department,  for  which  the  Conservatory  provides  unequalled 
advantages. 

Ten  two-manual  pipe-organs  are  installed  in  the  practice-rooms  for  the  use 
of  the  pupils  in  the  organ  department.  Two  large  three-manual  organs 
and  one  with  two  manuals  are  placed  in  the  organ  teaching  rooms.  With  the 
large  concert  organ  in  Jordan  Hall  there  are  fourteen  pipeorgans  in  use 
in  the  Conservatory.  In  the  possession  of  such  facilities  for  organ  practice 
the  Conservatory  stands  alone  in  the  world. 

The  Conservatory  building  is  situated  on  Huntington  Avenue,  at  the 
corner  of  Gainsborough  Street,  extending  in  the  rear  to  St.  Botolph  Street. 
The  main  entrance  is  on  Huntington  Avenue,  and  there  are  also  entrances  on 
Gainsborough  Street  and  St.  Botolph  Street.  The  building  is  directly  in  the 
art  center  of  Boston,  being  located  one  block  west  of  Symphony  Hall  and 
within  a  short  walking  distance  of  the  Public  Library,  the  Art  Museum, 
the  Boston  ( )pera  House,  and  other  public  buildings  of  iiUerest.  Street- 
car lines  connecting  with  the  various  railway  stations  and  other  parts  of  the 
city  pass  the  building. 

It  is  primarily  the  aim  of  the  New  England  Conservatory  of  Music  to 
educate  pupils  who  desire  to  make  a  serious  study  of  music  with  a  view  to 
a  professional  career  in  some  branch  of  the  art.  The  art  of  music  is  so 
complex  and  its  mastery  so  difficult,  that  it  is  not  to  be  acquired  by  the  study 
of  one  of  its  branches  alone.  The  Conservatory,  therefore,  so  arranges  its 
curriculum  that  all  pupils  in  its  regular  course  who  are  studying  to  be 
teachers,  singers,  or  performers  on  any  instrument,  shall  pursue  those 
theoretical  branches  which  are  most  necessary  in  their  particular  cla.ss. 
together  with  their  general  instrumental  or  vocal  practice.  The  Conservatory 
endeavors  not  onlv  to  give  the  pupil  instruction  ( theoretical  and  practical ) 
by  the  most  able  teachers  and  modern  methods,  but  to  surround  him  with  a 
musical  atmosjiliere  which  shall  be  at  once  a  stimulus  and  a  discipline;  also  to 
afl'ord  him  opportunities  for  teaching  and  for  ]iublic  ])erformance  which 
cannot  otherwise  be  obtained. 


80  The   History  of  Alpha   Chi   Ome(;a   Fraternity 

The  Yocal  and  instrumental  lessons  of  the  school  are  given  either 
privately  or  in  classes  of  three  (in  the  Elementary  Grade  only,  in  classes 
of  four)  ;  the  theoretical  work  (dictation,  harmony,  sight-plaving,  etc.)  is 
taught  in  larger  classes. 

The  regular  course  in  all  departments  is  divided  into  three  grades: 
Elementary,  Intermediate,  and  Advanced. 

University  of  Michioan   (Theta) 

The  campus  proper  of  the  University  of  Michigan  comprises  forty  acres 
of  land  in  the  heart  of  the  city  of  Ann  Arbor,  upon  which  are  situated 
twenty  buildings.  Thirty-three  other  buildings  occupy  sites  adjacent  to 
the  campus.  Among  the  other  properties  of  the  universitv  are  the  fol- 
lowing :  Ferry  Field,  the  men's  athletic  ground  ;  Palmer  Field,  the  women's 
athletic  grounds ;  a  ninety-acre  arboretum  and  garden  along  the  Huron 
River ;  the  Saginaw  Forestry  Farm,  eighty  acres  of  land  one  mile  west  of 
Ann  Arbor ;  and  the  Bogardus  Engineering  Camp  and  Biological  Station, 
a  tract  of  land  including  two  thousand  two  hundred  acres,  in  Cheboygan 
County,  seventeen  miles  south  of  the  Straits  of  Mackinac.  Among  the  note- 
worthy buildings  recently  erected  on  the  campus  proper  are  Hill  Auditorium, 
the  Natural  Science  Building,  the  Chemistry  and  Pharmacy  Buildings,  and 
the  Martha  Cook  and   Newberry  dormitories  for  women. 

The  University  of  Michigan  was  founded  in  1837  as  the  first  state 
institution  of  any  importance  in  the  field  of  education.  It  is  composed  of 
nine  departments :  The  College  of  Literature,  Science,  and  the  Arts ;  the 
Colleges  of  Engineering  and  Architecture;  the  Law  School;  the  Medical 
School;  the  Dental  College;  the  College  of  Pharmacy;  the  Homeopathic 
Medical  School ;  the  School  of  Nursing ;  and  the  Ciraduate  School.  The 
total  number  of  students  enrolled  during  the  year  1915-1916  was  7,214 
including  the  summer  session  registration. 

The  men's  fraternities  and  the  date  of  their  establishment  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan  are  as  follows:  X  •*,  1845;  A  A  $,  1846;  A  K  E, 
1855  ;  2  '$,  1858  ;  Z  *,  1858  ;  ^  Y,  1865  ;  B  @  n,  1845,  reestablished,  1867 
$  K  *,  1875;  A  Y,  1876;  2  X,  1877;  ATA,  1874,  reestablished,  1880 
$  A  '©,  1864,  reestablished,  1887;  2  A  E,  1888;  0  A  X,  1889;  A  X,  1892 
K  2,  1892,  reestablished,  1902;  2  N,  1902;  $  T  A,  1885,  reestablished 
1902;  Sinfonia,  1902;  A  T  Q,  1888,  reestablished,  1904;  Acacia,  1904 
$  K  2,  1905;  A  2  $,  1908;  Z  B  T,  1912;  2  $  E,  1912;  KB*,  1912 
A  X  A,  1913;  $  X  A,  1913;  $  2  K,  1915;  A  4>  A,  1909. 

The  women's  fraternities  and  the  date  of  their  establishment  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan  are  as  follows:  T  $  B,  1882;  A  T,  1885;  Sorosis, 
1886;  n  B  $,  1888;  K  K  T,  1890;  A  E  I,  1890;  A  $,  1892  ;  K  A  €),  1897, 
reestablished,  1893;  A  X  O,  1898;  M  4)  E  (Musical),  1904;  X  n,  1905; 
Westminster  House,   1909;  ©  ^  A,   1912;  AAA,    1915. 

A  local  Panhellenic  Association  was  established  at  Michigan  in  1904 
through  the  efforts  of  members  of  K  A  ©  and  T  *  B  in  particular. 
n   $,    an   honorary   society    for    rhetoric    and    sociology   students,    included, 


Colleges  in   Which  Ammia  ("hi  ().mk(;a  Has  Chai'ikrs  81 

pre\'ious  to  1902,  four  sororities,  and  was  tlie  only  grouping  of  women's 
fraternities  on  the  caminis.  In  1902  the  menil)ers  recognized  the  inefficiency 
of  such  a  limited  number  ami  the  society  ceased  to  exist.  In  1904  through 
the  eflForts  of  some  of  tlie  same  girls  the  local  Panhellenic  Association,  or 
Intersorority  Association,  as  it  is  called,  was  organized,  and  now  includes 
eleven  fraternities:  r  ^  B.  K  A  0,  A  r,  K  K  T,  II  B  <I>,  X  O,  0  4>  A, 
Sorosis,  A  <>,  A  A  A,  and  A  X  12.  The  presence  of  two  local  organizations 
in  the  association,  however,  make  it  slightly  different  from  the  regular 
local  Panhellenic  societies.  It  has  been  distinctly  recognized  that  the  Asso- 
ciation has  aided  in  l)uilding  up  the  splendid  democratic  spirit  which  now 
exists  both  between  fraternities  and  between  fraternities  and  nonfraternity 
girls.  It  has  made  rushing  a  much  simpler  and  inexpensive  affair  in  late  years, 
and  the  common  rules  for  all  help  to  bind  the  chapters  together.  Many  times 
opinions  upon  collegiate  questions  have  been  quickly  and  forcefully  expressed 
by  this  body,  thus  making  the  fraternities  take  a  more  active  part  in 
university  work.  In  former  years  the  Association  gave  several  social  affairs 
each  year,  but  they  have  been  discontinued  because  there  were  already  such 
a  host  of  social  events  on  the  campus.  The  members  have  aided  in  various 
philanthropic  movements  and  have  supported  all  efforts  to  improve  condi- 
tions for  Michigan  students.  At  the  present  time,  one  of  Theta's  girls, 
Josephine  Randall,  is  president  of   the   Intersorority  Association. 

The  University  of  Michigan  is  noted  for  its  School  of  Law  and  its 
Medical  and  Engineering  Colleges.  P^verywhere  on  the  campus  there  is  an 
atmosphere  of  democracy  which  is  emphasized  and  felt  on  the  athletic  field, 
in  the  classroom,  and  in  the  general  make-up  of  the  student  body.  In  the 
process  of  construction  is  the  $1,000,000  Michigan  Union  Building  and  the 
$75,000  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Building,  both  of  which  will  help  more  than  any- 
thing else  to  further  this  feeling  in  the  future.  Through  the  efforts  of  the 
Michigan  Union  officials,  in  conjunction  with  the  faculty  and  the  Student 
Council,  many  events  that  make  college  vears  enjoyable  are  held,  such  as: 
the  .spring  contests  between  freshmen  and  sophomores,  including  the  Tug  of 
War.  the  Pushball  Contest,  and  the  Relay  Races;  Cap  Night,  when  the 
freshmen  throw  their  caps  in  the  bonfire  and  traditionally  become  sopho- 
mores;  the  Regatta  on  the  Huron;  the  I  nion  Opera;  the  Senior  Swing-out, 
and  the  convocations  of  faculty  and  students.  Caps  and  toques  designating 
the  respective  class  and  department  are  worn  by  the  men  students,  gray 
representing  the  freshman  class;  red  the  sophomore;  white  the  junior;  and 
blue  the  senior.  Many  of  the  women's  activities  are  looked  after  by  the 
Women's  League,  and  the  junior  and  senior  girls'  plays  are  the  most  note- 
worthy achievements  of  the  women  along  dramatic  lines.  The  University 
V.  M.  C.  A.  and  Y.  W.  C.  A.  are  especially  active,  and  each  year  raise 
among  the  students  a  sum  of  $4,000  for  the  support  of  a  medical  missionary 
and  hospital  in  Buzrah,  Arabia. 


82  Thl;  Hisr()R\   ok  Alpha  Chi  Omkc.a  Fraterxitv 

University  of  Illinois  (Iota) 

The  location  of  the  University  of  Illinois  is  in  Champaign  County, 
Illinois,  126  miles  south  of  Chicago.  The  campus  is  just  within  limits  of  the 
City  of  Urbana  and  is  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  City  of  Champaign. 
The  land  occupied  by  the  university  is  235  acres,  besides  an  865  acre  farm. 
There  are  95  buildings  on  the  campus. 

The  university  was  incorporated  February  28,  1869,  with  the  name  of 
Illinois  Industrial  University  under  the  control  of  a  Board  of  Trustees. 
Dr.  John  Milton  Gregory  was  appointed  first  regent  of  the  university  and  he 
served  until  1880.  University  opened  March  2.  1868,  with  fifty  students 
and  a  faculty  consisting  of  tlie  regent  and  two  professors.  In  March.  1870, 
women  were  admitted.  In  1870-71  twenty-four  were  enrolled.  The  univer- 
sity was  given  permission  by  the  Legislature  to  confer  degrees  in  1879. 
The  name  of  the  institution  was  changed  in  1885  to  University  of  Illinois. 
The  present  enrolment  is  6,427 — 4,973  men,  1,459  women.  There  are 
thirteen  colleges  in  the  university. 

Lorado  Taft,  sculptor;  I.  J.  Burrill,  professor  emeritus,  noted  scientist; 
Edmund  Janes  James,  President  of  University,  are  great  names  connected 
with  the  institution. 

The  University  of  Illinois  has  two  full  military  regiments,  under  the 
direction  of  a  United  States  army  officer.  This  is  the  largest  student  military 
post  in  the  United  States.  Military  training  for  the  men  is  compulsory 
for  two  years.  The  Regimental  Band  of  the  University  of  Illinois  numbers 
two  hundred  pieces  and  is  by  reputation  the  best  student  band  in  the  world 
and  one  of  the  best  bands  in  the  United  States.  The  athletics  has  alw^ays  been 
a  prominent  feature  in  student  affairs.  Especially  is  the  university  noted  for 
championship  baseball,  football,  and  basketball  teams.  The  institution  is 
very  democratic  and  is  distinguished  from  others  only  in  its  size  and  its 
income. 

The  local  Panhellenic  Council  consists  of  two  delegates  from  each  national 
woman's  fraternity,  one  of  whom,  at  least,  is  an  upperclassman.  This 
council  meets  once  a  month,  and  during  rushing  season  once  a  week.  Routine 
in  office  is  determined  bv  the  date  of  establishment  of  fraternities  in  the 
council. 

The  purpose  of  the  council  is  to  fix  pledge  day.  regulate  rules  for  rush- 
ing, to  promote  better  feeling  among  fraternities,  to  cooperate  with  university 
interests. 

Men's  fraternities:  ATA,  1872;  2  X,  1881;  .K  2,  1891;  *  K  2,  1892; 
<^  A  ®,  1893;  A  T  CI,  1895;  4>  T  A,  1897;  2  A  E,  1899;  B  ©  n,  1902; 
2  N,  1902;  *  K  ^,  1904;  A  K  E,  1904;  Acacia,  1906;  A  Y,  1905;  ®  A  X, 
1908;  2  n,  1908;  A  2  $,  1908;  Z  ^,  1909;  ^  2  K,  1910;  *  Y,  1910; 
A  A<l>,  1912;  TKE,  1912;  $  K,  1912;  X  $,  1912;  X*.  1912  ;  Z  B  T,  1912; 
AX  A,  1915;  B  $,  1915. 

Women's  fraternities :  K  A  ®,  1895  ;  H  B  $,  1895  ;  K  K  r,  1899 ;  A  X  fi, 
1899;  X  n.  1900;  A  A,  1905;  2  K,  1906;  A  T.  1911  ;  A  O  n,  1911  ;  Achoth, 
1911  ;  A  A  n,  1912;  T  $  B,  1913. 


COLI.KGKS    IN    W'hIlH    AllMIA    (ill    ()MKi;a    Has    ("llAl'IKRS  83 

UxivERsnv  OF   Wisconsin    (Kappa) 

The  University  of  Wisconsin  is  located  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
state,  at  Madison.  The  university  grounds,  comprising  250  acres,  are 
picturesquely  situated  along  Lake  Mendota.  Most  of  the  buildings  are  placed 
on  the  summit  and  slopes  of  University  Hill,  which  rises  about  one  hundred 
feet  above  the  lake.  The  western  portion  of  the  grounds  is  more  nearly 
level  and  is  occupied  by  the  experimental  farm  connected  with  the  College 
of  Agriculture.  What  is  known  as  Lower  Campus  is  a  small  tract  to  the 
east  of  the  main  hill,  on  a  portion  of  which  the  state  historical  library, 
which  houses  the  university  library  as  well,  stands.  The  athletic  field, 
Camp  Randall,  contains  forty-two  acres,  and  in  addition  to  these  there  is  a 
farm  of  160  acres  used  by  the  College  of  Agriculture.  Twenty  buildings 
are  used  for  instructional  purposes^ — many  of  them  noted  for  their  archi- 
tectural beauty.  Two  open-air  theatres  are  now  in  the  process  of  construc- 
tion, which  promise  to  add  to  the  beauty  of  the  whole. 

In  1848  the  Constitution  of  Wisconsin  provided  for  the  establishment 
of  a  state  university  at  the  state  capital.  In  1849  the  Board  of  Regents 
began  the  work  of  organization.  A  preparatory  school  was  opened  in 
1849  under  the  direction  of  Professor  Sterling.  In  1850,  Chancellor 
Lathrop,  a  graduate  of  Yale,  was  inaugurated.  The  first  building  (North 
Hall)  was  completed  in  1851.  Four  years  from  that  time  South  Hall  was 
completed,  and  in  1861  Main  Hall  was  ready  for  use.  From  1859-60, 
Henry  Barnard  served  as  president.  The  legislature  of  1866  reorganized 
the  university  and  provided  for  and  united  with  it  the  College  of  Agri- 
culture. In  1866,  Dr.  Paul  Chadbourne  was  chosen  president.  In  1867, 
the  legislature  made  the  first  annual  appropriation  for  the  support  of  the 
university,  and  since  that  time  has  responded  liberally  to  its  needs.  The 
College  of  Law  was  established  in  1868;  the  College  of  Engineering  in 
1870;  the  School  of  Pharmacy  in  1883;  the  School  of  Economics,  Political 
Science,  and  Historv  in  1892  ;  the  School  of  Education  in  1897  ;  and  the 
School  of  Commerce  in  1900.  Following  Dr.  Chadbourne.  came  Presidents 
Twombly,  John  Bascom.  T.  C.  Chamberlin,  Charles  Kendall  Adams, 
Edward  A.  Birge.  and  Charles  R.  Van  Hise. 

The  following  are  the  principal  professors  of  prominence  connected 
with  the  University  of  Wisconsin:  Mr.  C.  R.  Van  Hise,  president  of  the 
University  and  a  noted  geologist;  Dean  E.  A.  Birge,  noted  biologist  and 
writer  and  inventor  of  biological  things;  Professor  M.  V.  O'Shea.  one  of  the 
greatest  authorities  in  an  educational  line,  and  the  author  of  several  educa- 
tional books;  Professor  B.  W.  Snow,  well-known  physicist;  Professor  L.  H. 
Dickinson,  well  known  in  the  dramatic  line  ;  Professor  W.  L.  Westerman, 
author  of  Westerman's  History  of  ]]^estrni  Europe;  Professor  W.  E. 
Leonard,  lyric  poet;  Professor  S.  M.  Babcock,  inventor  of  the  Babcock 
"Milk  Test";  Professor  W.  T.  Frost,  bacteriologist;  Professor  L. 
Kahlenberg.  well-known  chemist  and  author  of  Kahlenberg's  Textbook  on 
Chemistry ;  Professor  E.  B.  Van  Vleck,  an  authority  on  mathematics;  Pro- 
fessor E.  A.  Ross,  one  of  America's  greatest  sociologists ;   Professor  M.   F. 


84  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

(niver.  authority  on  hercditv  and  eugenics,  and  author  of  Being  ]]'cU  Born. 

Men's  fraternities  which  have  chapters  at  Wisconsin  are  twenty-three : 
$  A  0,  1857:  B  0  n.  1873;  4)  K  *.  1875;  X  ^,  1878;  2  X,  1884;  A  Y, 
1885-;  ATA,  1888;  $rA,  1893;  0  A  X,  1895;  *  Y,  1896;  K  2,  1898;  $  K  2, 
1901 ;  2  N,  1902  ;  A  A  <l>,  1902  ;  2  A  E,  1903  ;  A  K  E,  1906 ;  Acacia,  1906 ; 
A  T  a  1907;  2  $,  1908;  K  $  r  (local),  1908;  A  2  ^.  1909;  Z  *,  1910; 
X  $,   1916. 

Women's  fraternities  at  Wisconsin  are:  K  K  T,  1875  ;  A  V.  1880;  T  $  B, 
1885;  K  A  0,  1890;  n  B  $,  1894;  A  $,  1896;  AAA,  1898;  X  Q,  1902; 
A  X  n,  1903;  A  E  A,  1904;  A  T  A,  1905  ;  Achoth  (Eastern  Star),  1915. 

Several  dramatic  productions  are  given  each  year.  The  two  dramatic 
societies.  Red  Domino  and  Edwin  Booth,  combine  their  efforts  and  give  one 
production  a  year.  Then  there  are  the  class  plays,  the  Haresfoot  Club  play, 
and  the  men's  glee  club  concert.  The  junior  class  play  is  usually  given  the 
night  before  junior  prom,  the  big  social  event  of  the  year,  and  the  senior 
class  play  is  given  at  commencement  time.  Haresfoot,  a  club  composed 
of  men,  presents  a  musical  comedy,  all  the  parts  of  which  are  taken  by  men. 
Both  Haresfoot  and  the  men's  glee  club  take  trips  over  the  state. 

Wisconsin's  junior  prom  is  the  large  social  event  of  the  year  to  which 
nearly  every  Wisconsin  coed  looks  forward  with  great  anticipation.  It  is 
usually  held  in  the  large  university  gymnasium  which  is  beautifully  decorated 
for  the  occasion,  and  the  best  of  dance  music  is  provided.  Each  fraternity 
has  a  so-called  box  provided  with  comfortable  chairs  where  the  guests  may 
sit  between  dances.  In  1915,  however,  it  was  held  in  the  splendid  new 
State  Capitol. 

Wisconsin  has  a  good  student  band.  Last  summer  it  went  on  a  western 
tour  and  played  in  many  western  cities,  as  well  as  at'  the  San  Francisco 
Exposition.  All  men  students  are  compelled  to  take  military  drill  for 
two  years,  and  each  vear  there  is  a  sham  liattle  and  government  inspection 
of  the  troops.     There  is  also  a  military  ball  every  winter. 

Mortar  Board  is  the  senior  women's  honorary  society  which  has. a  three- 
fold purpose:  to  stimulate  scholarship,  to  further  interest  in  worthy  endeavor, 
and  to  increase  college  activities.  The  members  are  chosen  at  the  end  of 
the  junior,  and  the  beginning  of  the  senior  years  from  those  women  of  the 
university  Avho  rank  highest  in  service,  womanliness,  and  scholarship.  The 
men's  honorary  society  which  corresponds  to   Mortar   Board  is  Iron  Cross. 

The  May  F^te  is  the  event  of  the  spring.  There  are  the  May-pole  dance, 
various  folk-dances,  and  solo  dances,  all  of  which  are  done  by  the  coeds,  but 
especially  by  the  freshmen  and  sophomores.  In  the  evening  of  the  day  of  the 
May  Fete  they  have  what  is  called  Venetian  night,  when  there  are  fireworks, 
music,  and  illuminated  floats  on  Lake  Mendota. 

Not  every  college  has  the  opportunity  to  have  a  crew  as  Wisconsin  does, 
and  although  there  has  been  no  university  crew  for  the  last  few  years,  the 
class  crews  are  still  in  existence,  and  next  fall  there  are  hopes  of  having 
women's  crews. 


Colleges  in  Which  Alpha  Chi  Omk(;a  Has  Chaiters  85 

Syracuse  University   (Lamhda) 

Syracuse  is  the  central  city  of  the  lunpire  State  and  is  approached  from  all 
directions  by  great  railways.  It  is  a  beautiful  city  and  rated  in  the  census  as 
one  of  the  most  healthful  in  the  land.  The  university  is  situated  on  the 
heights  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  city,  overlooking  Onondago  Lake  and 
the  Valley.     The  location  is  unsurpassed  for  its  beauty  of  scenery. 

Syracuse  University  founded  in  1870,  is,  in  its  academic  department  a 
continuation  of  Genesee  College,  which  was  at  Lima,  New  York,  from  1849  to 
1871;  and,  in  its  medical  department,  of  (ieneva  Medical  College  (1835- 
1872).  The  university  was  originally  Methodist  Episcopal,  but  is  now 
undenominational.  There  are  eight  colleges :  Liberal  Arts,  Fine  Arts,  Medi- 
cine, Law,  Applied  Science,  Teachers,  New  York  State  College  of  Forestry, 
and  the  College  of  Agriculture.  The  graduate  school  gives  opportunity  to 
pursue  work  for  advanced  degrees.  There  are  also  The  Library  School,  The 
School  of  Oratory,  The  Summer  School,  and  The  Training  School  for  Nurses. 
All  of  the  colleges  and  schools  are  open  to  both  sexes.  The  total  enrolment  of 
students  in  the  university  is  about  4,000. 

Some  great  personages  connected  with  the  university  are :  James  Roscoe 
Day,  chancellor  ;  John  D.  Archbold,  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and 
donator  of  Stadium  and  Gymnasium;  William  H.  Mace,  professor  of  history, 
and  author;  William  H.  Berwald,  professor  of  piano,  and  composer;  Mrs. 
Russell  Sage,  donator  of  Teachers'  College  and  College  of  Agriculture ; 
J.  Fred  Baker,  professor  of  forestry. 

Men's  fraternities  at  Syracuse  are:  A  K  E,  1871  ;  A  Y,  1873  ;  Z  *,  1875  ; 
*  Y,  1875  ;  <^  K  ^,  1884 ;  $  A  0.  1887  ;  B  ®  n,  1889  ;  «l»  T  A,  1901  ;  2  X, 
1904  ;  A  X  P,  1905  ;  2  $  E,  1906  ;  2  N,  1906  ;  K  2,  1906  ;  2  A  E,  1906  ;  0  A, 
1909  ;  A  T  A,  1910;  Acacia,  1911  ;  Z  B  T,  191 1  ;  2  B,  1911  ;  H  K  A,  1913; 
^  X  A,   1913;  2  AM,   1913. 

The  women's  fraternities  are:  A  <I>,  1872;  T  $  B,  1874;  K  K  T,  1883; 
K  A  0,  1889;  n  B  4>,  1896;  AAA,  1896;  A  T,  1901  ;  A  H  A,  1904;  ATA, 
1904;  2K,  1905;  M  <J>  E,  1905  ;  A  X  Q.  1906;  X  fi,  1911  ;  A  O  n,  1914. 

Local  Panhellenic  was  founded  in  Syracuse  in  1902.  The  association  met, 
during  its  early  history,  once  a  year,  to  fix  the  date  of  pledge  day.  At  present, 
five  meetings  are  held  during  the  year.  Panhellenic  became  more  progressive 
in  Syracuse  than  it  ever  had  been  before,  in  1913,  under  the  work  and  influ- 
ence of  Bernice  Taylor,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  delegate.  The  following  year 
Emma  Skifif,  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  was  president.  Panliellenic  is  presided  over 
in  turn  i)y  each  fraternity  in  the  order  of  its  establishment  in  Syracuse.  The 
association  requires  three  delegates  from  each  chapter  of  the  national  frater- 
nities, one  alumna,  one  senior,  and  one  lowerclassman.  Rules  are  made  and 
enforced  regarding  pledge  day  and  rushing.  A  schedule  of  interfraternity 
dinners  is  to  be  put  in  force  next  year  (1916-17),  whereby  each  fraternity 
sends  a  representative  to  another  fraternity  for  dinner. 

Syracuse  University  is  noteworthy  for  the  large  number  of  students  it  has 
sent  to  foreign  fields,  for  its  splendid  school  of  music,  and  for  it5  rccentlv 


86  1'he  History  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

organized  schools  of  Forestry  and  Oratory.     In  athletics  Syracuse  ranks  very 
high,  holding  one  of  the  highest  places  among  the  colleges  of  the  country. 

"First  chapel"  is  an  institution  in  our  university.  J^W  students  assemble 
this  first  morning  of  the  college  year  and  are  addressed  by  Chancellor  Day. 
Following  first  chapel  is  the  annual  salt  rush  between  the  freshmen  and 
sophomores.  Later  the  same  classes  engage  in  a  lively  encounter  called  the 
flour  ru-sh.  Throughout  the  year,  rushes  take  place.  Moving-up  Day  is  the 
most  exciting  time  of  the  whole  year.  All  the  classes  move  up  amid  much 
speech  making  and  festivity  which  ends  with  a  dance  at  night.  Women's  Day 
is  another  big  event.  It  begins  with  a  May  Morning  Breakfast  held  out  of 
doors.  All  the  morning  is  given  over  to  tennis  and  track  meets,  and  the  after- 
noon to  a  beautiful  pageant. 

Simpson  College    (Mu) 

In  1854,  the  citizens  of  Indianola  erected  a  small  school  building,  two 
blocks  east  of  the  square.  This  was  both  a  public  and  a  private  school.  In 
1860  the  Western  Iowa  Conference  adopted  the  Indianola  Seminary  as  the 
conference  seminary.  "Old  Blue  Bird,"  at  a  cost  of  $4,300,  was  erected  dur- 
ing the  following  year.  It  was  called  "The  Des  Moines  Conference  Male  and 
Female  Seminary."  In  1867,  the  conference  raised  the  school  to  the  college 
grade  and  it  was  called  "Simpson  Centenary  College,"  in  honor  of  Bishop 
Matthew  Simpson  and  of  the  centennial  of  American  Methodism,  which 
occurred  that  year.  Various  noble  and  worthy  men  have  served  as  presidents, 
and  the  college  has  prospered  in  spite  of  times  of  depression.  Its  growth 
during  the  last  four  years  may  be  shown  by  the  fact  that  a  fine  new  gymna- 
sium, the  gift  of  Mr.  Harry  E.  Hopper,  costing  $95,000  has  been  added  to  the 
equipment ;  through  the  addition  of  several  new  chairs,  and  in  the  addition  of 
$300,000  to  endowment  and  equipment. 

Simpson  College  is  located  at  Indianola,  Iowa,  about  twenty  miles  south 
of  Des  Moines.  Six  trains  a  day  each  way  make  it  easy  of  access  via  that 
city.  The  campus  comprises  about  ten  acres,  shaded  by  many  venerable,  tradi- 
tional maples.  Directly  north  of  the  campus  is  the  Buxton  Park,  which  aids 
a  great  deal  in  beautifying  the  campus  and  surroundings.  There  are  eight 
buildings  and  a  central  heating  plant.  The  gymnasium  is  situated  directly 
facing  the  campus.  The  building  of  the  Conservatory  of  Music  is  at  the 
very  northeast  corner  of  the  campus.  The  other  college  buildings  are  situ- 
ated at  intervals  facing  the  south.  A  large  gateway,  directly  in  front  of  the 
main  building,  and  much  shrubbery,  gifts  of  classes,  help  in  making  the 
college  campus  the  most  attractive  and  beautiful  part  of  the  town. 

The  following  women's  fraternities  are  represented  :  A  A  A,  established 
1889;  n  B  <I),  established  1874;  A  X  fi,  established  1907. 

The  men's  fraternities  are:  A  T  fi,  established  1885;  K  0  *  (local), 
established  1902. 

The  local  Panhellenic  is  formed  by  the  president  of  each  fraternity,  one 
other  member  from  each  fraternity,  and  one  alumna."  member  from  each  fra- 
ternity.    The  purpose  of  this  Panhellenic  is  to  take  up  all  matters  concerning 


Colleges  in  Which  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Has  Chapters  87 

all  fraternities,  as  the  scholarship  standard  for  pledging,  the  date  for  pledg- 
ing of  upperclassmen.  and  to  enforce  justice  and  fairness  from  all  fraternities 
in  regard  to  rushing  and  similar  matters.  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  Simpson 
College  ha!s  always  stood  for  honorable  actioiL  high  scholarship,  and  high 
ideals.     She  has  this  same  record  in  relation  to  the  Panhellenic. 

University  ok  Colorado   (Nu) 

The  University  of  Colorado  is  situated  in  Boulder,  about  thirty  miles 
nortliwest  of  Denver,  the  capital  and  metropolis  of  Colorado.  Boulder  is 
surrounded  on  three  siiles  b\-  the  foothills  of  the  glorious  Rockies.  On  the 
other  side  stretch  wide  plains,  dotted  with  beautiful  lakes,  making  it  a  rich 
agricultural  district.  It  is  among  these  surroundings,  with  the  Rockies  all 
about,  that  the  university  is  located. 

Boulder  itself  is  a  delightful  little  city  of  about  10.000  inhabitants;  due  to 
the  delightful   climate,   this   number   is   almost   doubled   during   the  summer. 

The  University  of  Colorado  owes  its  origin  to  an  act  of  the  first  territorial 
legislature  of  Colorado  which  became  a  law  through  the  signature  of 
Governor  Gilpin  in  1861.  The  site  for  the  University  in  Boulder  was  the 
next  proposition  and  this  was  settled  by  a  gift  of  fifteen  acres  of  land  to  the 
east  of  the  city,  donated  by  Mrs.  Berkeley  and  Mrs.  Widner.  It  was  not  until 
1875  that  the  trustees  of  the  university  were  able  to  obtain  enough  money  to 
erect  a  building.  Ever  since  the  main  building  was  erected,  the  university 
has  progressed.  Through  gifts  and  appropriations  from  the  state  of  Colorado, 
many  more  buildings  have  been  added  and  equipped,  until  now  the  campus 
is  one  of  the  finest  for  a  university  of  the  size  and  age  of  Colorado. 

George  A.  Carlson,  the  present  governor  of  Colorado,  is  a  graduate  of 
the  university  and  remains  vitally  interested  in  and  connected  with  it. 

Livingston  Farrand,  president,  has  written  books  about  the  North  Ameri- 
can Indians,  and  allied  subjects  in  anthropology. 

Professor  Lory,  an  alumnus,,  is  president  of  the  State  Agricultural  College. 

Doctor  Cockerel  and  Dean  Hellems.  both  of  the  faculty,  are  prominent 
outside  of  their  college  work. 

In  the  University  of  Colorado  there  are  twelve  men's  fraternities  and 
seven  women's  fraternities:  A  X  Q.  1907  :  A  A  n.  1914  :  X  n,  1906  ;  A  A  A. 
1910;  A  r,  1887  ;  K  K  T,  1901  ;  n  B  4),  1884. 

The  men's  fraternities  are:  A  T  fi.  1901  :  A  2  *,  1915;  B  0  n,  1900: 
ATA.  1883:  K  2.  1916:  $  A  0,  1902  ;  ^  T  A.  1912  :  *  K  ^.  1914  :  :^  X. 
1914;  2  N,  1902  :  2  *  E,  1904:  2  A  E.   1891. 

The  local  Panhellenic  was  established  in  the  University  of  Colorado  in 
1910,  and  since  that  time  has  grown  and  become  a  very  efficient  association. 

The  Panhellenic  Association  is  composed  of  three  delegates  from  each 
chapter  of  the  national  fraternities  in  the  University.  One  delegate  is  to  be 
an  alumna,  another  a  senior,  and  the  third  a  lowerclassman.  They  are  elected 
by  their  chapters  to  .serve  one  college  year.  The  dean  of  women  is  also  a  mem- 
ber. 


88  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 

Meetings  are  held  once  a  month.  The  ofifice  of  chairman  is  filled  bv  the 
senior  delegates  from  each  fraternity  in  the  order  of  their  establishment  in  the 
university. 

The  purposes  of  this  organization  are  to  regulate  the  rules  of  rushing,  to 
fix  the  date  of  pledge  day,  to  cooperate  with  the  university  authorities  and 
organizations  in  matters  of  general  interest,  and  to  regulate  other  matters  of 
local  Panhellenic  interest.  Connected  with  this  organization  is  what  is  known 
to  us  as  the  "Penalty  Board"  composed  of  faculty  members  with  the  dean  of 
women  as  chairman.  All  violations  of  the  Rushing  Contract  are  reported  to 
the  chairman  and  are  punished  according  to  the  rules.  Some  of  the  penalties 
are  the  loss  of  the  privilege  of  the  fraternity  to  bid  a  girl  for  a  certain 
length  of  time,  or  the  forfeiture  of  one  or  two  dances. 

All  complaints  made  must  be  given  to  the  dean  in  written  form,  and  it  is 
considered  verv  dishonorable  for  any  fraternity  to  accuse  another  of  unfair- 
ness in  rushing  unless  the  complaint  is  handed  in  writing  to  the  Board  of 
Penalties.  These  rules  and  regulations,  which  are  among  those  found  in  the 
Constitution  of  the  Panhellenic  Association  of  the  University  of  Colorado, 
make  the  organization  and  its  work  definite.  \\'ith  these  rules  it  is  carried  on 
very  smoothly  and  easily,  and  has  proved  to  be  a  great  benefit  and  success  in 
the  university. 

University  of  Nebraska   (Xi) 

"Little  they  knew  what  wealth  untold 

Lay  hid  where  the  desolate  prairies  rolled ; 
Who  would  have  dared,  with  brush  or  pen. 
As  this  land  is  now,  to  paint  it  then?" 

It  was  the  pioneer  spirit  which  inspired  the  early  settlers  of  this  glorious 
State  to  reclaim  the  land  and  make  it  most  fruitful,  and  to  build  substantial 
homes.  It  also  inspired  them  to  plan  one  of  the  best  educational  systems  in 
the  country. 

The  University  of  Nebraska  was  founded  by  an  act  of  the  Nebraska 
Legislature,  effective  February  15,  1869,  two  years  after  the  Territory  became 
a  State.  The  subsequent  new  Constitution  of  1875  recognized  the  university 
as  thus  established  and  placed  it  imder  the  general  control  of  an  elective 
board  of  six  regents. 

The  grounds  and  l)uildings  of  the  L'niversity  of  Nebraska  are  distributed 
among  three  groups :  ( 1 )  The  original  campus,  situated  in  the  capital  city 
of  Lincoln,  with  its  main  entrance  at  Eleventh  and  R  Streets,  and  contain- 
ing seventeen  buildings,  devoted  to  Academic,  Law,  Pharmaceutical,  and 
Engineering  instruction;  (2)  the  University  Farm,  of  three  hundred  twenty 
acres,  two  and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  the  original  campus,  containing  ten 
buildings,  devoted  to  instruction  in  Agriculture  and  Home  Economics;  (3) 
the  Medical  College  building  in  Omaha  at  Forty-second  and  Dewey  Avenue. 
Adjacent  to  this  campus  and  on  land  belonging  to  the  State  is  the  Child 
Saving  Institute,  the  clinical  facilities  in  which  are  under  the  control  of  the 
university. 


Colleges  in  Which  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Has  Chapters  89 

The  revenues  of  the  university  are  provided  for  hy  a  tax  of  one  mill  upon 
the  assessment  roll  of  the  State.  In  1913  the  State  Legislature  appropriated 
a  three-fourths  mill  levy  for  six  years  for  permanent  development  of  the 
university,  leaving  the  location  to  be  determined  i)y  a  vote  of  the  people 
in  1914,  at  which  election  it  -was  voted  to  extend  the  present  campus.  As  a 
result,  a  new  Chemistry  Building  and  Botany  Building  are  now  under  way. 

Bv  Statute,  the  university  comprises  tlic  following  colleges  and  schools: 
The  Graduate  College,  including  the  Graduate  School  of  Education  ;  The 
College  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  including  the  schools  of  Fine  Arts  and  Com- 
merce;  The  Teachers'  College,  including  the  Teachers'  College  High  School; 
The  College  of  Engineering;  The  College  of  Agriculture;  The  College  of 
Law;  The  College  of  Medicine;  and  The  College  of  Pharmacy. 

Associated  with  each  department  are  instructors  and  professors  who  have 
given  the  greater  part  of  their  lives  to  the  building  up  of  the  university. 
Among  these  are  many  who  have  won  national  renown. 

Dr.  G.  W.  A.  Luckey,  dean  of  the  Graduate  School  of  Education  and 
head  of  the  Department  of  Education,  is  a  member  of  the  National  Council 
of  National  Education  Association  and  one  of  the  Nation's  foremost  educators. 

Samuel  Avery,  chancellor  of  the  University,  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
American  Chemistry  Society  and  is  the  author  of  Exercises  in  Chemistry. 
He  is  a  popular  lecturer  on  educational  topics. 

Dr.  Harley  Alexander,  professor  of  philosophy,  is  a  noted  author  on 
philosophical  subjects.  He  was  the  editor  and  contributor  to  Webster's 
Dictionaries,  1903-8,  and  is  the  associate  editor  of  the  Mid-west  Quarterly. 

Professor  Howard  of  the  Political  Science  and  Sociology  Department  is 
an  eminent  writer.  He  is  the  author  of  Local  Constitutional  History  of  the 
United  States,  contributor  of  many  articles  on  modem  English  history  and 
biography  to  Nciv  International  Encyelopa'dia. 

Dean  Sherman  of  the  Graduate  College  is  the  author  of  Analytics  of 
Literature,  JJ'hat  is  Shakespeare/  Elements  of  Literature,  and  the  editor  of 
Shakespeare's  plays. 

Dean  Bessey,  who  died  in  1915,  was  known  world  wide  as  a  botanist.  He 
was  connected  with  the  university  from  its  earliest  days  and  established  the 
biological  department. 

There  are  thirty-one  fraternities  represented  at  the  University  of 
Nebraska.  Among  these,  thirteen  are  national  women's  fraternities  and  are 
represented  in  the  local  Panhellenic  Association.  The  first  move  toward  such 
a  local  association  was  made  in  December,  1905,  when  Chancellor  Andrews, 
desirous  of  gaining  faculty  supervision  over  the  fraternities,  established  a 
Women's  Interfraternity  Council.  By  this  organization  much  was  gained  in 
interfraternity  relations,  especially  in  the  matter  of  scholarship.  In  1913. 
however,  the  Council  was  abandoned  and  the  present  "Women's  Panhellenic 
Association  of  the  University  of  Nebraska"  was  established.  Its  purpose  is 
"Supervision  and  regulation  of  matters  of  interfraternity  interest."  It  has 
power  to  regulate  house  rules,  rushing,  build  up  fraternity  scholarship,  and 
break  down  the  feeling  existing  between  fraternity  and  non fraternity  students. 


90  Thk  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

i 

While  this  h:)cal  Panhellenic  has  only  been  in  existence  for  three  years, 
inestimable  good  has  come  from  it.  As  a  result  of  its  efforts,  an  enviable 
condition  exists  between  tlie  different  fraternities  at  Nebraska,  scholarship 
has  been  improved,  bouse  rules  regulated,  and  the  fraternities  have  been 
made  working  factors  of  good  to  the  college  as  a  whole. 

This  year  the  association  has  established  three  scholarship  medals  to  be 
given  in  September  to  the  freshman,  sophomore,  and  junior  girl  with  the 
highest  scholastic  average  for  the  year.  This  means  either  a  fraternity  or 
nonfraternity  girl.  The  medal  will  be  in  the  form  of  a  pin,  lavalier,  or  some- 
thing of  this  sort  which  the  girls  will  be  glad  to  wear. 

The  University  of  Nebraska  has  been  favorably  known  for  many  years 
for  the  quality  of  its  work  in  the  training  of  teachers.  The  department  of 
Education  was  established  in  1895  and  in  1914  the  Graduate  School  of 
Education  was  organized.  A  distinctive  feature  in  the  training  of  teachers 
is  the  Teachers'  College  High  School.  Here  one  hundred  and  fifty  youths  of 
high-school  rank  are  under  the  direction  of  the  head  of  the  Department  of 
Educational  Theory  and  Practice,  a  skillful  and  experienced  principal,  super- 
visors, and  assistant  instructors. 

Nebraska,  lijce  other  schools,  has  its  college  customs.  The  first  Saturday 
in  December  it  is  customary  for  the  men  of  the  university  to  hold  their 
Football  Banquet.  This  same  evening,  the  girls  hold  a  costume  party  at  the 
Armory.  At  this  time  all  bounds  are  broken,  fraternity  and  nonfraternity 
girls  mix  alike  and  revel  in  Nebraska  spirit  and  enthusiasm.  At  different 
times  during  the  year,  university  "Mixers"  are  held.  These  are  "all-univer- 
sity" dances  held  at  the  Armory  with  a  small  admission  charge  of  fifteen 
cents  and  are  under  the  supervision  of  the  Dean  of  Women. 

February  15  is  known  in  Nebraska  History  as  "Charter  Day"  and  is 
observed  as  a  holiday  and  fete  day  by  the  students.  This,  together  with  Ivy 
Day,  constitute  the  only  holidays  of  the  school  year,  except  the  regular  Christ- 
mas and  spring  vacations.  Ivy  Day  is  celebrated  as  a  big  picnic  day.  The 
whole  universitv  wends  its  way  to  a  picnic  ground  where  rowing,  dancing, 
etc.,  are  enjoved.  At  this  time  the  Innocents  and  Black  Masques  Societies 
choose  from  among  the  crowd  the  lucky  juniors  to  fill  their  places  the  follow- 
ing year  in  the  honorary  senior  societies. 

The  last  few  weeks  of  school,  crowded  as  they  are,  are  marked  by  one  big 
day  in  the  senior's  life — "Senior  Sneak  Day."  It  has  become  a  custom, 
especiallv  among  fraternities,  for  each  fraternity  by  hook  or  crook  to  find 
out  when  the  ill-fated  day  is  to  be  and  to  try  in  all  ways  possible  to  keep 
the  plotting  seniors  at  home. 

The  men's  fraternities  at  Nebraska  are:  A  2  ^,  A  T  fi,  A  ©  X  (local), 
B  0  n,  A  X,  A  T  A,  A  Y,  K  2,  $  A  <«),  $  r  A,  ^  K  ^,  n  K  <J>,  2  A  E, 
2  X,  2  N,  2  $  E,  Acacia,  Silver  Lynx  (local).  The  w'omen's  fraternities 
are :  A  X  «,  A  A  n,  A  O  n.  A  <!).  A  E  A,  X  Q,  A  A  A,  A  r,  A  Z,  r  $  B, 
K  K  r,  K  A  ©,  n  B  $. 


Colleges  ix  Which  Alpha  Chi  Umega  Has  Chapters  91 

Baker  University   (Omicron) 

Baker  University  is  the  oldest  college  in  Kansas.  On  February  3,  1858, 
an  organization  known  as  the  Kansas  P^ducational  Association  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  was  chartered  by  the  Territorial  Legislature  of 
Kansas,  with  the  privilege  of  locating  an  educational  institution  at  or  near  the 
town  of  Palmyra,  since  called  Baldwin  City.  The  institution  was  chartered 
on  February  12,  1858,  and  was  named  "Baker  University,"  in  honor  of 
Bishop  Osmon  C.  Baker,  who  held  the  first  session  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska 
Conference.  In  November  of  the  same  year  the  work  of  actual  instruction 
was  begun,  with  the  Rev.  W.  R.  Davis,  D.D.,  as  president,  and  has  since  been 
maintained  without  interruption. 

In  attendance  and  strength  of  its  college  department.  Baker  is  among  the 
larger  colleges  of  the  Middle  West.  The  school,  at  the  present  time,  repre- 
sents in  buildings,  equipment,  and  endowment,  an  investment  of  $706,051. 
The  support  given  by  the  Kansas  Conference,  in  its  annual  gift  to  the  budget 
of  the  college,  is  equal  to  the  income  of  an  additional  endowment  of  about 
$180,000.  Within  the  last  two  years  a  campaign  for  endowment  has  been 
completed  by  which  pledges  amounting  to  $590,000  were  secured. 

While  Baker  University  is  not  sectarian  in  its  teaching  or  influence,  it 
does  believe  that  the  best  results  are  obtained  when  yoinig  men  and  women 
receive  their  higher  education  under  positive  Christian  influences  and  it 
jnaintains  that  the  ultimate  aim  of  scholarship  is  well-grounded  Christian 
character. 

The  university  is  located  in  Baldwin  City,  Kansas,  on  the  Lawrence  branch 
of  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad.  The  town,  which  is  built  around  the  college 
campus,  is  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  region  remarkable  for  its  beautiful 
scenery  and  famed  in  Kansas  verse  and  story.  The  atmosphere  of  culture 
which  pervades  the  town,  manv  of  whose  residents  are  connected  with  the  life 
of  the  college,  its  conveniences  and  improvements  give  it  many  of  the  advan- 
tages of  the  large  city  without  destroying  the  quiet  charm  of  a  smaller  town. 
The  campus  contains  about  sixteen  acres,  shaded  by  trees.  The  buildings 
are  conveniently  located  and  afford  facilities  for  the  instruction  of  six 
hundred  students.  Among  many  jirominent  persons  connected  with  Baker 
University  are  Bishop  Quayle,  ex-Senator  Joseph  L.  Bristow,  and  Paul  Pear- 
son. 

Baker  University  educates  many  missionaries  and  ministers.  One  out- 
standing college  custom  is  the  different  class  organizations.  There  are  four 
organizations,  one  for  each  class,  as  follows:  Columbian  Commonwealth, 
Senatus  Romanus.  King  Arthur's  Court,  and  House  of  Hanover.  Each 
incoming  freshman  class  takes  the  name  of  the  outgoing  senior  class. 

The  men's  fraternities  at  Baker  University  are  four:  ATA.  lOO.i  :  K  2, 
1903:  2  «I>  E.   1910;  Z  X,  1905. 

The  women's  fraternities  are:  AAA.  1S95;  -A  X  Q.  1908;  Z  T  A,  1912; 
K  f).  organized  1916. 

The  Local  Panhellenic  was  fullv  established  in  1910. 


92  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 


University  of  California  (Pi) 

The  principal  seat  of  the  University  of  California  is  located  at  Berkeley, 
a  city  of  about  60,000  inhabitants,  on  the  eastern  shore  of  San  Francisco 
Bay,  directly  opposite  the  Golden  Gate.  It  is  an  hour's  ride  by  train  and 
ferry  from  San  Francisco,  and  forty  minutes'  ride  by  electric  car  from  the 
business  center  of  Oakland.  The  site  of  the  university  comprises  about  five 
hundred  and  thirty  acres,  rising  at  first  in  gentle,  and  then  in  bolder  slopes 
from  a  height  of  two  hundred  feet  above  sea-level  to  one  of  thirteen  hundred 
feet.  The  outlook  over  the  Bay  and  through  the  Golden  Gate  is  very  beauti- 
ful. The  campus,  itself — its  famous  Le  Conte  oaks,  its  shady  walks,  its 
fragrant  flowers,  and  white  granite  buildings — presents  a  most  attractive 
appearance.  Besides  this  main  seat,  the  university  owns  a  farm  of  seven  hun- 
dred and  seventy-nine  acres  in  Yolo  County,  where  the  School  of  Agriculture  is 
situated.  The  School  of  Education  conducts  the  University  High  School  in 
Oakland  under  the  Board  of  Education  there.  In  the  year  1893,  the  San 
Francisco  Institute  of  Art  and  the  California  School  of  Design  became  afTfili' 
ated  with  the  university — thus  further  enlarging  it.  Besides  these,  there 
is  the  New  University  Hospital  and  the  California  College  of  Pharmacy  in 
San  Francisco.  The  university  consists  of  forty-three  departments ;  the  total 
enrolment  is  11,188. 

The  history  of  California's  organization  is  a  rather  complicated  one,  and 
came  as  a  result  of  three  movements,  one  originating  in  private  initiative,  one 
in  state  action,  and  one  in  federal  action.  In  1853  Rev.  Henry  Durant, 
graduate  of  Yale  College,  came  to  San  Francisco,  with  the  purpose  of  found- 
ing a  university  fully  formed  in  his  mind.  In  the  same  year  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Presbytery  of  San  Francisco  and  the  Congregational  Society 
of  California,  Mr.  Durant  opened  the  Contra  Costa  Academy  in  Oakland. 
In  1855  a  college  was  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  "College  of  Cali- 
fornia." The  site  of  the  college  at  first  was  five  miles  north  of  Oakland,  but 
in  1867,  was  moved  to  Berkeley,  where  it  now  remains.  As  a  result  of  con- 
gressional grants  of  lands,  the  college  became  disincorporated  in  favor  of 
the  organization  of  a  State  University.  From  that  time  it  continued  to  grow 
in  size  and  strength.  In  1869  the  legislature  directed  that  no  admission  or 
tuition  fees  should  be  charged,  and  in  1870  that  the  university  should  be 
opened  to  women  on  terms  of  equality  with  men.  Until  1887,  the  university 
depended  for  its  revenue  upon  income  from  invested  funds,  and  on  biennial 
appropriations  by  the  legislature.  In  that  year  the  university's  income  was 
rendered  more  secure  by  the  provision  for  an  annual  levy  of  an  "ad-valorem" 
tax.  Beginning  in  1891,  the  university  has  constantly  aimed  to  extend  the 
benefits  of  its  instruction  farther  and  farther  beyond  its  own  confines.  In 
1896,  it  decided  upon  a  general  building  plan  for  the  erection  of  univer- 
sity buildings.     White  granite  or  marble  are  the  required  materials.     Summer 


Colleges  in  Which  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Has  Chapiers  93 

schools  in  several  dcpartiiK-nts  were  annually  held  I'ur  a  number  of  years  up 
to  1899,  when  work  was  systematically  organized  and  a  summer  school  of 
general  scope  began.  A  marked  feature  of  the  summer  session,  and  an 
important  element  of  university  policy  in  that  regard,  is  the  presence,  as 
lecturers,  of  leading  men  from  Eastern  and  European  universities.  The  Con- 
stitution of  the  State  provides  for  the  perpetuation  of  the  university,  with  all 
its  departments. 

Every  large  university  has  many  important  personages  connected  with  it, 
and  California  is  no  exception.  The  question  is,  who  are  the  most  important? 
One  of  the  widest  known  of  California's  great  men  is  its  president,  Benjamin 
Ide  Wheeler.  Henry  Morse  Stevens,  head  of  the  History  Department,  is  also 
well  known.  George  Malcolm  Stratton,  noted  peace  advocate,  and  one  of  the 
leading  psychologists  of  the  day,  teaches  at  California.  Jack  London  attended 
the  university,  as  did  James  Hopper,  the  writer ;  Frank  Norris,  the  novelist ; 
and  Rupert  Brooke  the  young  poet  who  has  recently  become  famous.  Hiram 
Johnson,  Governor  of  the  State,  and  Franklin  K.  Eane,  Secretary  of  the 
Interior,  were  both  members  of  the  student  body  at  one  time,  as  was  the  late 
John  M.  Eshleman,  Lieutenant  Governor  of  California.  William  Randolph 
Hearst,  who  presented  the  Greek  Theatre  to  the  university,  and  his  mother, 
Mrs.  Phoebe  A.  Hearst,  who  provided  for  the  erection  of  the  Mining  Build- 
ing, and  Hearst  Hall,  are  also  well  known.  Mrs.  Jane  K.  Sather  provided 
funds  for  the  erection  of  the  Sather  Campanile,  a  bell-tower  of  white  granite 
and  marble  302  feet  in  height,  and  also  for  the  chimes  which  are  placed  in 
the  tower. 

The  following  fraternities  are  represented  in  California:  Z  ^,  1870; 
X  $,  1875;  A  K  E,  1876;  Ben,  1879;  S  X,  1886;  $  r  A,  1886;  $  A  0, 
1886  ;  2  N,  1892  ;  2  A  E,  1894  ;  X  ^,  1895  ;  K  A,  1895  ;  A  Y,  1896  ;  A  T  A, 
1898;  4)  K  *,  1899;  A  T  a  1900;  ©  A  X,  1900;  K  X  1901;  *  Y,  1902; 
^  K  2,  1903 ;  Acacia,  1905  ;  A  A  ^,  1908  ;  $  2  K,  1909  ;  H  K  <I>,  1909  ;  0  H, 
1910;  2  $  E,  1910;  A  X,  1910;  H  K  A,  1912;  2  *,  1912;  A  2  4>.  1913; 
2  n,  1913;  0  X,  1913;  A  X  A,  1913;  A  K  A,  1914  ;  A  2  ^,  1915. 

The  following  are  women's  fraternities:  K  A  0,  1890;  T  4>  B,  1894; 
K  K  r,  1897  ;  A  A  A,  1900  ;  n  B  <l>,  1900  ;  A  <i>,  1901  ;  X  fi,  1902  ;  A  T.  1907  ; 
A  O  n.  1907  ;  A  =  A,  1909;  A  X  Q,  1909;  2  K,  1910;  A  A  n,  1913;  A  T  A, 
1915  ;  Z  T  A,  1915  ;  A  Z.   1915. 

About  the  year  1906,  the  local  brancli  of  Panhellenic  was  formed.  As  the 
fraternities  became  more  numerous,  the  power  of  the  organization  increased 
.and  its  influence  was  more  strongly  felt.  The  meetings  are  held  on  the  first 
Wednesday  of  each  month,  at  four-thirtv  in  the  afternoon,  for  the  purpose 
of  regulating  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  fraternities.  The  A.ssociation  has 
been  successful  in  prohibiting  mid-week  dancing  on  the  campus.  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  sends  two  delegates  to  each  meeting,  one  of  them  an  upperclassman 
whose  duty  it  is  to  report  in  fraternity  meeting  matters  for  deliberation  and 
suggestion.  Through  its  delegates  the  fraternity  casts  its  vote  on  inii)ortant 
■questions. 


94  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 

The  uiiiYcrsity  is  noted  partieulaiiy  for  two  traditions.  Dramatics  play- 
a  large  part  in  the  college  life.  With  the  Greek  Theatre  among  the  hills,, 
the  natural  scenery  for  outdoor  performances,  this  seems  but  natural.  The- 
two  leading  dramatic  clulis,  the  English  Club  and  the  Ma.sk  and  Dagger 
Society,  present  plays  during  the  year ;  Treble  Clef  giYes  an  annual  opera ;  and. 
each  spring  the  Partbeneia,  a  spring  festiYal.  is  produced  by  the  women  of 
the  uniYersity.  California  is  also  noted  for  its  summer  session.  From 
the  latter  part  of  June  to  the  fir.st  of  August,  courses  of  both  general  and 
special  interest  are  giYcn.  The  students  comprise  people  from  all  parts  of  the- 
country. 

Among  the  many  college  custonxs  of  California,  there  are  three  which  are- 
of  particular  interest,  not  only  to  college  students,  but  to  tbe  outside  world. 
One  of  these  is  the  Pajamarino  Rally,  wdiich  takes  place  in  the  fall.  Then- 
the  men  of  California  are  transformed  into  grotesque  gnomes  and  witch-folk' 
by_  weird  costumes  of  pajamas,  plugs,  and  sombreros.  A  huge  fire  is  built 
in  the  diazoma  of  the  Greek  Theatre,  and  around  this  gather  the  men  of  the- 
four  college  classes.  Stunts  are  giYcn  for  amusement  and  entertainment,  and 
talks  are  made  by  prominent  alumnae  and  college  leaders.  One  of  the  most 
important  customs  are  tbe  uniYersity  meetings  held  CYery  other  FridaY  morn- 
ing at  elcYen  o'clock  in  the  Greek  Theatre.  At  these  meetings  noted  men 
from  all  parts  of  the  world,  who  may  happen  to  be  in  Berkeley  are  iuYited  to- 
speak.  By  this  the  .students  are  afforded  the  opportunity  of  hearing  interest- 
ing and  instructiYe  talks.  Dear  to  the  hearts  of  the  students  particularly, 
is  the  custom  of  the  annual  football  game.  This  occurs  at  ThanksgiYing. 
time,  and  forms  one  of  the  greatest  CYcnts  of  the  college  year.  The  Par- 
tbeneia is  a  spring  festiYal  presented  by  the  women  of  the  uniYersity.  A 
pageant  written  by  some  w-oman  of  the  college  is  produced  on  the  beautiful', 
campus  each  year. 

Uniyersity  of  Washington   (Rho) 

The  UniYersity  of  Washington  was  founded  in  1862  and  occupied  a 
campus  in  what  is  now  the  downtown  district  of  the  city  of  Seattle.  The 
site  is  now  occupied  by  modern  office  buildings  of  the  Metropolitan  Building 
Association.  The  one  building  of  the  old  downtown  campus  housed  the 
Seattle  Pul)lic  Library  until  1907,  when  the  building  was  dismantled  and 
four  of  tbe  columas  were  remoYed  to  the  present  campus  and  now^  stand 
guarding  the  walk  leading  to  Denny  Hall.  Washington  now  occupies  a  great 
many  of  the  old  Alaska  Yukon  Pacific  Fair  buildings  but  permanent  buildings 
are  now  being  built  to  take  their  place.  The  registration  is  3,225  not  includ- 
ing summer  session. 

Some  great  personages  connected  with  the  uniYersity  are:  Henry 
Suzzallo,  president  of  the  uniYersity,  who  is  identified  with  progressive 
educational  movements ;  Edmond  Stephen  Meany,  professor-  of  history, 
author,  authority  on  Northwest  History;  J.  Allen  Smith,  professor  of 
political  and  social  science,  dean  of  Graduate  School,  international  reputation 
as  authority  on  subjects  pertaining  to   economics,   and  am  author ;    Herbejt 


Colleges  in  W'liuii  Ai.niA  t'm  ()mk(;a  Has  ('haimkrs  95 

Henry  (lowen,  F.  R.  (1.  S..  1'".  R.  S.  A.,  jirofcssor  of  Driental  History.  Litera- 
ture, and  Institutions  ;  Trevor  Kinkaid,  professor  of  zodloi^ry.  special  agent 
of  the  United  States  Deioartmeiit  of  Agriculture  to  la])an  ;  Robert  Edouard 
Moritz,  professor  of  mathematics  and  astronomy,  and  an  author. 

The  State  University  of  Washington  is  most  beautifully  situated  although 
in  the  midst  of  the  city  of  Seattle.  Its  borders  are  lapjjed  by  l)otli  Lakes 
Washington  and  Union  and  many  are  the  paths  through  woodsy  groves  along 
these  shores.  Washington  is  usually  conceded  the  most  beautiful  natural 
campus  in  the  United  States. 

Of  all  the  numerous  schools  and  colleges  in  which  work  may  be  obtained 
at  Washington,  perhaps  the  most  uni{]ue  is  the  School  of  Forestry.  When  a 
well-known  lumberman  asked  a  former  President  of  the  United  States  where 
he  could  best  get  further  education  along  forestry  lines,  the  President 
promptly  replied.  "At  the  University  of  Washington."  Washington  not 
only  maintains  a  full  forestry  course  but  also  gives  what  is  called  the 
Forestry  Short  Course,  a  six  weeks'  spring  course  in  practical  forestry  open  to 
anyone  interested.  This  course  is  always  very  well  attended.  The  Forestry 
School  occupies  the  Forestry  Building  of  the  Alaska  Yukon  Pacific  Exposi- 
tion, a  building  known  for  its  beauty  and  symmetry  to  all  those  who  were 
foftunate  enough  to  visit  Seattle  in  1909. 

Perhaps  the  most  distinctive  and  by  far  the  most  enjoyable  day  of  the 
year  at  Washington  is  what  is  known  as  Campus  Day.  Plans  are  laid  for  days 
ahead  as  to  the  accomplishments  which  are  to  be  the  result.  Professor  Meany, 
the  general  for  the  day,  appoints  a  complete  staff  even  to  a  Red  Cross  Unit. 
The  day  is  a  happy  combination  of  work  and  play.  It  is  devoted  to  the 
improvement  of  the  campus.  Various  squads  are  given  different  work  to  do. 
One  year  the  engineering  students  installed  the  Light  System  over  the  campus, 
new  walks  are  made  through  the  woods,  old  walks  are  improved,  benches  are 
repaired,  and  everything  is  made  spick  and  span.  It  is  the  girls'  duty  to 
prepare  the  lunch,  always  eaten  in  the  open  except  in  the  case  of  inclement 
weather.  "No  collars  and  ties"  is  the  rule  of  the  day  and  even  the  luncheon 
speakers,  usually  the  president  and  some  of  the  regents  of  the  college,  are 
divested  of  these  superfluities  before  allowed  to  speak.  An  afternoon  of 
work  follows  enlivened  by  visits  of  the  Lemonade  Squad.  In  the  evening 
a  dance  is  held  in  the  gymnasium  which  is  the  climax  of  the  day. 

The  w^omen's  fraternities  are  fifteen  in  number:  A  T,  1903  ;  r  <I>  B,  1903  ; 
K  K  r,  1905  ;  n  B  4>.  1907  ;  A  H  A,  1907  ;  K  A  0,  1908  ;  A  P  A,  1908  ;  X  Q, 
1908;  AAA,  1909;  2  K,  1910;  A  X  H,  1910;  A  $,  1914;  Achoth,  1914; 
A  Z,   1914;  A  O  n,  1915. 

Men's  fraternities  represented  at  University  of  Washington  are :  2  N, 
1896;  *  r  A,  1900;  <J)  A  0,  1900;  B  0  n.  1901  ;  2  X.  1903;  K  2.  1903; 
A  T  a  1906;  2  A  E,  1906;  ATA.  1908:  A  X.  1908;  A  Y.  1910:  A  K  E. 
1910;  Acacia,  1910;  A  2  *.  1912;  0  A  X,  1913;  n  K  A,  1914;  *  K  >I'.  1914; 
0  H,  1915  ;  *  Y.  1916. 


96  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

University  of  Iowa    (Sigma) 

The  University  of  Iowa  is  situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  Iowa  River 
in  the  western  part  of  Iowa  City.  From  the  west,  one  sees  the  green  campus 
gently, rolling  from  a  large  hill  to  the  river.  The  university  occupies  upwards 
of  thirty  buildings  situated  on  a  campus  of  more  than  fifty  acres  near  the 
center  of  Iowa  City.  These  buildings  are  grouped  around  the  historic  Old 
Capitol  campus,  which  is  connected  with  the  medical  quadrangle  and  hospital 
campus  on  the  east,  the  law  campus  on  the  north,  the  engineering  campus  on 
the  south,  and  the  athletic  and  military  grounds  on  the  west.  The  general 
plan  of  the  campus  and  buildings  has  been  entrusted  to  capable  architects 
and  landscape  gardeners,  and  systematic  arrangement  is  being  followed.  The 
Iowa  River  has  been  dammed  just  below  the  university  grounds,  providing  a 
water-front  for  the  enlarged  campus  and  good  facilities  for  aquatic  sports. 
The  majority  of  the  buildings  are  new  and  their  number  is  increasing  con- 
stantly in  harmony  with  the  growth  of  the  institution.  The  Italian  Renais- 
sance style  of  architecture  has  been  adopted. 

An  act  of  Congress,  July  20,  1840,  authorized  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  to  set  apart  and  reserve  from  sale  lands  in  the  territory  of  Iowa 
for  the  use  and  support  of  a  university  to  be  established  when  Iowa  should 
become  a  state.  In  1846  Iowa  was  admitted  into  the  Union  with  a  constitu- 
tion which  provided  that  the  general  assembly  should  take  measures  to  care 
for  the  lands  granted  and  for  the  application  of  the  income  to  support  the 
University.  In  accordance  with  this  provision  the  First  General  Assembly  on 
February  25,  1847,  passed  an  act  establishing  and  locating  at  Iowa  City  a 
state  university.  The  capitol  building  and  the  land  upon  which  it  stood  were 
donated  to  the  university  in  view  of  the  contemplated  removal  of  the  seat  of 
government  from  Iowa  City.  Delay  in  removing  the  capital  prevented  the 
opening  of  the  institution  until  March,  1855.  The  organization  of  depart- 
ments began  in  the  same  year.  The  development  of  the  uni^Trsity  has  been 
steady,  and,  since  women  have  been  on  an  equal  footing  with  men  from  the 
beginning,  the  numbers  of  women  students  have  increased  annually  until 
now  there  are  1284  (1916).  Currier  Hall,  a  magnificent  dormitory,  was 
opened  in  1913,  and  accommodates  170  women. 

The  men's  fraternities  are :  B  ©  n,  $  K  ^,  A  T  A,  ^  A  0,  2  X,  2  N, 
K  2,  Acacia,  2  A  E,  A  X,  ©  H,  ^  K,  A  T  Q,  ^  Z  E,  Cosmos  Club,  n  O,  *  A  A, 
^  B  n,  ■*  P  2,  N  2  N,  $  A  $,  2  A  X,  *  n,  H  *  ^,  A  2  A,  $  A  X, 
A  2  P,  T  B  n,  $  A  K,  $  B  K,  2  H. 

The  women's  fraternities  are :  n  B  $,  K  K  T,  A  F,  A  A  A,  Achoth,  A  X  O, 
A  H  A,  A  Z,  A  T  B,  A  A  n,  r  $  B. 

Governor  Clark  and  Emerson  Hough  are  graduates  of  Iowa.  President 
Macbride  of  the  University  was  recently  made  President  over  the  Education 
Department  in  all  the  colleges  of  Iowa.  Professors  Trowbridge  and  Kay  of 
the  Geology  Department  are  known  for  their  great  authority  of  that  subject. 
Professor  Bacon  of  the  Mathematics  Department  is  known  for  his  great 
knowledge  of  Higher  Mathematics.  Senator  Kenyon  is  another  graduate  of 
Iowa.    Randall  Parish,  novelist,  and  the  author  of  0/d  Gold  is  an  Iowa  man. 


Colleges  in  \\'hich  Alpha  Chi  Omkga  Has  Chapiers  97 

Brenau  College    (Tau) 

Brenau  is  located  at  Gainesville — fifty  miles  from  Atlanta — a  city  of  ten 
thousand  inhabitants  in  the  part  of  northeast  Georgia  known  as  the  Piedmont 
escarpment.  The  college  campus  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  spots  in 
Georgia.  A  large  grove  of  shady  oaks,  under  which  is  spread  out  a  smooth 
green  lawn  of  Kentucky  blue  grass;  at  the  front  a  hedge  of  Amoor  River 
privet ;  at  the  rear  a  long  line — some  six  hundred  feet — of  stately  buildings, 
varied  in  architectural  style  and  finish — and  yet,  a  harmonious  whole,  pleas- 
ing to  the  artistic  sense — this  is  Brenau  as  seen  from  the  outside.  Just  in  the 
rear  of  the  college  is  the  park,  embracing  approximately  one  hundred  acres. 
The  original  forest  character  has  been  preserved  as  far  as  possible  but  walks 
and  drives,  rustic  bridges,  summer  houses,  and  pavilions  have  been  con- 
structed and  in  the  center  is  Lake  Lanier,  naimed  in  honor  of  the  South's  dis- 
tinguished poet.     Beyond  this  are  the  Brenau  farm  and  golf  links. 

Brenau  College  Conservatory  is  the  outcome  of  an  institution  founded  by 
Dr.  W.  C.  Wilkes  and  a  Board  of  Trustees  in  the  year  1878  and  known  as 
the  Georgia  Baptist  Seminary  for  Young  Ladies. 

In  1886  Dr.  Wilkes  died  and  Prof.  A.  W.  Van  Hoose  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  In  1893,  Dr.  H.  J.  Pearce  purchased  of  Pro- 
fessor Van  Hoose  a  one-half  interest  in  the  college  property  and  for  sixteen 
years  the  institution  was  conducted  by  Van  Hoose  and  Pearce  as  associate 
presidents. 

In  1909  Dr.  Pearce  purchased  the  interest  of  Professor  Van  Hoose  and 
during  the  year  of  1909-10  had  sole  charge  of  the  affairs  of  the  institution. 

In  1910  Dr.  Pearce  sold  an  interest  in  the  institution  to  Dr.  T.  J.  Sim- 
mons who  since  that  time  has  been  associate  president  with  Dr.  Pearce. 

The  name  of  the  institution  has  been  changed  twice.  In  1890.  it  became 
the  Georgia  Female  Seminary,  and  in  1900  the  name  Brenau  was  adopted. 

Connected  with  Brenau  are  :  Prof.  Otto  W.  G.  Pfefferkorn.  Director  of 
the  Conservatory,  who  is  widely  known  as  .a  concert  pianist  and  also  as  a 
composer;  Dr.  E.  H.  Murphee,  professor  of  science,  who  is  a  member  of  the 
Royal  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences  and  inventor  of  the  Resonator ;  Dr. 
H.  J.  Pearce,  president  of  Brenau,  who  is  ex-president  of  the  Southern 
Psychological  Society  and  a  very  noted  psychologist. 

The  fraternities  represented,  with  date  of  establishment  of  each,  are: 
AXfi.  1911  ;  A  A  n,  1910;  A  T  A,  1913;  A  A  A,  1914;  4>  M,  1910;  Z  T  A, 
1911. 

Panhellenic  Association  of  Brenau,  composed  of  the  following,  ^  M  T, 
B  2  O,  A  A  n,  Z  T  A,  X  2.  M  <I>  E,  :S  I  X,  A  2  A.  H  Y  T,  and  4>  M, 
was  founded  May  30,  1911.  At  that  time  matriculation  pledging  was 
allowed,  but  during  1912-13.  second-year  pledging  was  adopted  and 
tried  until  the  fall  of  1914  when  it  was  changed  to  second  term. 

Panhellenic  is  taking  a  very  active  part  in  fraternity  affairs,  and  has  made 
rules  which  have  placed  the  fraternities  on  the  higher  scholarship  basis.  Any 
fraternity  failing  to  make  an  average  of  80  per  cent  is  not  allowed  to  pledge, 
(jirls  must  have  twelve  Carnegie  units  to  be  plcdgetl  and  fifteen  to  be  initiated. 


98  The   History  of  Alpjia   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Since  the  establishint;  of  Panhellenic  the  numl)er  of  members  has  been 
reduced  to  six  and  are  :  A  A  n,  A  T  A,  A  X  O,  A  A  A,  Z  T  A,  and  *  M.  The 
offices  are  electiYe  ancl  Alpha  Chi  ( )me^a  has  held  the  secretaryship  and 
presidency  for  t\vo  years. 

The  college  customs  of  a  ^voman's  college  are,  of  course,  different  from 
those  in  a  coeducational  institution.  At  commencement  one  of  the  most 
interesting  events  is  the  giving  of  the  "crow's  ne.st"  by  the  graduates  to  the 
succeeding  senior  class.  The  exercises  are  given  in  the  "crow's  nest"  and 
after  they  are  over  the  senior  class  marches  down  and  the  junior  class  takes 
possession.  On  Sidney  Lanier's  birthday,  memorial  exercises  are  held  in  the 
park  by  the  side  of  the  lake  named  in  his  honor. 

A  most  enjoyable  custom  is  the  "turkey-trot"  held  at  twelve  o'clock  at 
night  on  the  tennis  court.  The  girls  slip  out  in  spite  of  the  vigilance  of 
chaperons,  form  a  long  line  and  march  through  the  streets  with  songs  and 
yells. 

On  account  of  the  fact  that  the  students  hail  from  such  widely 
varied  parts  of  the  country,  every  year  a  celebration  is  held  known  as  "State's 
Day"  and  each  state  club  gives  a  stunt  characteristic  of  their  state. 

James  Millikix  University   (Upsilon) 

A  tract  of  blandly  wooded  country — more  rolling  acreage  than  one 
thinks  of  as  prairie — is  the  home  of  Decatur  College  and  Industrial  School, 
the  later-established  member  of  the  James  Millikin  University.  The  other 
member  is  Lincoln  College  of  Lincoln.  Ulinois,  founded  in  1865.  Decatur's 
campus  is  ten  acres  of  unusual  natural  beauty,  inside  the  l:)0undaries  of 
the  town. 

In  1901  Mr.  James  Millikin  offered  a  sum  of  money  for  the  foundation 
of  a  university  in  Decatur,  and  this  was  accomplished  by  the  aid  of  Decatur 
citizens  and  near-by  synods  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  initial  enrol- 
ment of  712  in  1903  promised  prosperity  which  has  been  realized  in  the 
continuing  increase  of  enrolment  and  endowment.  Dr.  A.  R.  Taylor  was 
president  of  the  college  until  1913,  when  Dr.  George  Emory  Fellows  became 
the  executive.  In  1915  President  Emeritus  Taylor  returned  to  be  acting 
head  of  the  administration.  The  university  has  been  benefited  by  numerous 
bequests  and  gifts,  the  most  recent  of  which  is  one  of  $200,000  from  Mr. 
Hobart  Williams,  made  in  May,  1916.  The  plant  and  equipment  are 
considered  unusually  beautiful  and  efficient  for  a  comparatively  new  organi- 
zation, and  are  being  liberally  augmented. 

The  women's  fraternities  which  have  established  chapters  in  Millikin  are: 
n  B  $,  March  29,  1912:  AAA.  May  25,  1912;  Z  T  A,  October  26,  1912; 
A  X  O,  May  9,  1913. 

The  men's  fraternities  which  have  chapters  at  Millikin  are :  K  A  X, 
April  23,   1904;  2  A  E,   1911;  T  K  E,  April   17,   1909. 

The  James  Millikin  University  Local  Panhellenic  was  established  in 
the  fall  of  1913.  n  B  $,  A  A  A,  Z  T  A,  and  A  X  (2  were  represented.  This 
organization,  composed  of  two  active  members — a  senior  and  a  junior — -and 


Colleges  i.\  \\'iikii  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Has  Chai'ikrs  99 

one  alummr  member  from  eacli  fraternity,  meets  once  every  month,  for  both 
business  and  some  constructive  entertainments,  such  as  lectures  along  frater- 
nity lines.  The  chief  work  of  our  Panhellenic,  so  far,  has  been  tlie  making 
of  the  rushing  rules,  and  the  giving  of  a  scholarship  diiuier  once  a  year. 
Practically  every  year  a  new  system  of  rushing  has  been  tried.  In  1913 
the  season  lasted  for  four  weeks  of  open  rushing  at  the  beginning  of  the 
fall  term  of  school.  In  1914  and  1915  the  season  lasted  for  two  weeks, 
with  a  system  of  parties  regulated  both  in  immbers  and  expense.  The 
preferential  system  was  used,  Imt  after  two  years'  trial  it  was  found  un.satis- 
factory.  For  1916  tlie  plan  of  a  live  weeks'  season  of  closed  rushing,  the  first 
week  being  given  to  Y.  \V.  C.  A.  is  to  be  tried.  The  scholarship  dinner  i.s 
given  by  our  local  Panhellenic  as  a  means  of  stimulating  higher  scholarship 
among  Millikin  girls,  and  especially  the  fraternity  girls.  To  it  are  invited 
the  two  girls  from  each  college  class  and  the  one  from  each  sororitv  making 
the  highest  general  average  for  the  first  semester.  The  strengtli  of  our 
organization  lies  in  our  spirit  of  willing  cooperation. 

Close  corporation  of  interests  with  those  of  the  community  in  which 
it  is  situated  has  distinguished  the  university  and  influenced  greatly  the 
spirit  of  its  traditions.  Its  register  has  been  filled  chiefly  from  Illinois, 
although  it  lias  been  cosmopolitan  enough  to  welcome  many  students  of 
farther  advent.  This  "springing  from  the  soil"  in  the  best  sense,  has  produced 
a  notable  heartiness,  interest  in  surroundings,  and  an  up-reaching,  though 
conservative,  democracy.  The  Millikin  Conservatory  of  Music,  for  example, 
which  has  made  .such  extraordinary  advances  in  reputation  and  achievement, 
and  has  established  itself  a.s  one  of  a  few  excellent  training-places  of  its 
kind,  has  tried  endlessly  to  make  itself  useful  to  Decatur  and  the  towns  and 
countrv  near.  It  has  managed  unusual  concerts  and  attractions,  has 
cheerfullv  accommodated  innumerable  suburl)an  students,  has  offered  certain 
free  courses,  opened  music  kindergartens,  and  as  a  result  is  flooded  with 
the  duties,  as  well  as  the  rewards,  of  being  an  actual  community  center. 

The  Decatur  College  and  Industrial  School  has  lived  up  to  the  latter 
half  of  its  title  in  a  thorough  going  degree.  The  manual  arts  and  the 
branches  of  domestic  economy  have  l)een  strongly  represeiited  in  the  growth 
of  the  college,  and  the  emphasis  put  upon  them  lias  no  doubt  greatly  advanced 
that  growth.  The  pre-professional  courses  are  strongly  accented  also  in 
the  university's  make-up,  and  partly  because  of  Millikin's  well-rooted  and 
wholesome  democracy,  it  draws  an  ever  larger  number  of  lawyers,  clergymen, 
and  doctors-in-the-making   for   their   preliminary   years. 

The  tradition  of  democracy  has  dictated  the  habitual  showing  of  friend- 
liness in  a  thousand  ways  at  Millikin.  Its  social  life  is  not  elaborate,  but 
it  is  notably  sincere.  Tlure  are  a  reception  and  exhibit  for  the  Decatur 
public  and  a  general  recejjtion  for  new  students,  both  gi\-en  annually,  and 
both  conforming  to  Millikin's  habit  of  (|uick  interest  in  what  is  close  to  it. 
The  college  has  acquired  a  reputation,  also,  for  its  generosity  in  harboring 
church  assemblies,  rural  conventions,  and  the  like,  and  for  working  loyally 
with   Decatur  municioal   authorities   for  such   institutions  a.s  a  city  biolosiisi 


100  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

and  a  city  engineer.  In  return,  Decatur  people  are  ready  in  giving  their 
names  as  patrons  and  patronesses  of  the  university's  many  dramatic,  social, 
or  musical  offerings.  There  are  always  lists  of  especially  worth-while  names 
for  the  May  fete,  of  folk  and  interpretative  dancing,  the  senior  play,  and 
the  diploma  recitals.  On  the  President's  birthday,  the  students  give  him  a 
flower  shower  each  year,  and  the  glee  clubs  present  annually  after  their 
home  concerts,  certain  eagerly  expected  "roasts,"  "sings,"  and  "serenades." 
One  tradition  which  may  never  be  overlooked  at  Millikin  is  that  of  rock- 
ribbed  and  everlasting  rivalry  with  Illinois  Wesleyan  of  Bloomington.  The 
university's  various  organizations,  of  whatever  nature,  manage  adroitly  the 
weekly  teas  for  all  the  college,  which  follow  a  custom,  one  of  Millikin's 
most  significant,  perhaps,  since  it  represents  so  completely  the  simplicity, 
democracy,  and  sincerity  of  the  place. 

University  of  Kansas    (Phi) 

The  idea  of  a  State  University  in  Kansas  dates  from  the  early  days 
of  Kansas  territorial  government.  Each  of  the  constitutions  adopted  for 
the  territory  of  Kansas  during  the  period  of  its  memorable  struggle  provided 
for  the  establishment  of  an  institution  of  higher  learning,  to  be  supported 
by  public  funds.  The  last  of  these,  which  became,  on  the  admission  of 
Kansas  to  the  Union,  the  constitution  of  the  state,  declares  that  "provision 
shall  be  made  by  law  for  the  establishment,  at  some  eligible  and  central 
point,  of  a  State  University,  for  the  promotion  of  literature  and  the  arts  and 
sciences." 

By  an  act  of  Congress  approved  January  29,  1861,  the  day  on  which 
Kansas  was  admitted  to  statehood,  seventy-two  sections  of  land  were  set 
apart  and  reserved  for  the  use  and  support  of  a  State  University.  The 
state  accepted  the  trust,  and  in  1863  the  legislature  selected  the  city  of 
Lawrence  as  the  location  for  the  institution.  One  year  later  the  legisla- 
ture passed  an  act  organizing  the  university  and  giving  to  it  the  name 
of  "The  University  of  Kansas."  A  charter  was  immediately  drawn  up, 
and  the  government  of  the  institution  was  vested  in  a  Board  of  Regents, 
appointed  by  the  governor. 

The  board  thus  appointed  held  its  first  meeting  on  March  21,  1865, 
and  decided  to  open  a  preparatory  department  as  soon  as  the  citizens  of 
Lawrence  should  provide  rooms  for  that  purpose.  This  the  citizens  under- 
took to  do,  and  by  the  middle  of  September,  1866,  they  were  enabled,  by 
the  aid  of  gifts  from  various  individuals  and  organizations,  to  erect  the 
building  now  known  as  North  College.  The  first  faculty  of  the  university 
had  been  elected  by  the  Board  of  Regents  in  July  of  the  same  year,  and 
on  the  twelfth  of  September  the  university  was  opened  to  the  3'oung  men 
and  women  of  the  state. 

The  legislature  of  1913  established  the  Board  of  Administration  of 
Educational  Institutions,  with  full  power  to  administer  the  affairs  of  the 
university,  as  well  as  other  state  schools,  subject  only  to  legislative  enact- 


Colleges  in  W^hich  Alpha  Chi  Omeua  Has  Chapters  101 

ments.  This  board  consists  of  ihrt-e  nK'ml)(.Ts  to  be  appointud  by  the  gov- 
ernor, not  more  than  two  of  whom  sliall  lielong  to  one  political  party,  and 
not  more  than  one  of  whom  shall  be  a  graduate  of  any  one  of  the  institutions 
named.  Not  more  than  one  member  shall  be  from  one  congressional  district. 
The  term  of  office  is  four  years.  The  board  maintains  a  business  office  at 
each  of  the  state  educational  institutions  under  its  control,  and  also  an  office 
at  the  seat  of  government. 

The  campus,  comprising  some  160  acres  of  hilltop  and  hill  slope,  has 
so  far  contrived  to  retain  much  of  its  natural  beauty.  The  buildings  follow 
the  curve  of  the  hill ;  the  walks  take  the  line  of  least  resistance ;  the  trees 
in  North  Hollow  form  a  tangled  mass  much  appreciated  by  birds  and  art 
students. 

Oregon   Agricultural    College    (Chi) 

Oregon  Agricultural  College  is  located  in  Corvallis  (Heart  of  Vallev), 
Oregon.  This  is  a  city  of  6,000  inhabitants,  situated  at  the  head  of  naviga- 
tion on  the  Willamette. 

Oregon  Agricultural  College  was  in  the  beginning  under  the  control 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  In  1868,  as  there  were  no 
state  colleges  in  Oregon,  the  legislature  of  that  year,  which  provided  for 
the  location  of  the  land  received  under  the  Act  of  1862,  gave  the  interest 
on  funds  derived  from  the  sale  of  the  land  to  the  Corvallis  College.  For  a 
number  of  years  none  of  the  land  granted  was  sold,  and  the  legislature 
made  small  annual  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  school.  The 
church  voluntarily  relinquished  its  claim  on  the  funds  of  the  college 
and  the  State  assumed  entire  control  of  the  institution  in  1885.  The  legis- 
lature of  that  year  provided  for  the  "permanent  location  of  the  State  Agri- 
cultural College  at  Corvallis,  in  Benton  County,"  provided  the  citizens  of 
said  county  would  within  four  years  erect  on  the  "farm  containing  thirty- 
five  acres  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  said  city  known  as  the  Agricultural 
College  Farm,  brick  buildings  for  the  accommodation  of  said  State  Agricul- 
tural College  at  a  cost  of  not  less  than  $20,000."  During  the  summer  of  1887, 
the  Governor  of  Oregon  laid  the  corner  stone  of  the  building,  erected  by 
citizens  of  Benton  County.  Now  the  institution  owns,  instead  of  the  original 
thirty-five  acres,  three  hundred  and  forty  acres.  Instead  of  one  structure  it  has 
thirty-seven.  A  marked  increase  in  attendance  has  also  been  shown,  there 
being  an  increase  of  from  ninety-seven  to  over  four  thousand  students. 
Twenty  years  ago  most  of  the  students  came  from  Benton  and  neighboring 
counties.  Today,  every  county  in  Oregon,  thirty-two  other  states  and  four- 
teen territories  and  foreign  countries  are  represented. 

Some  great  persons  connected  with  the  historical  facts  of  the  in-stitution 
are:  William  Jasper  Kerr,  who  is  president  of  Oregon  .Agricultural  College, 
is  a  great  educator.  Besides  being  an  instructor  in  many  branches  of 
education  since  1885,  he  has  been  president  of  Brigham  Young  College 
(1900-7),  and  since  then  president  of  Oregon  Agricultural  College.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Association  of  American  Agricultural  Colleges  and  Experi- 


102  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 

ment  Stations,  first  vice-president  of  the  same  from  1909-1910  and  president 
from  1910-1911.  He  was  also  vice-president  from  1909-1910  of  the  National 
Educational  Association  and  a  member  of  the  National  Council  of  Educa- 
tion, American  Mathematical  Society,  American  Academy  of  Political  and 
Social  Science,  American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  Ore- 
gon Academy  of  Sciences  and  the  National  Society  for  the  Promotion  of 
Industrial  Education.  Arthur  Burton  Cordley,  Phi  Delta  Theta,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science  and  the  Ameri- 
can Association  of  Economic  Entomologists.  He  is  the  author  of  a  number 
•of  bulletins  and  reports,  and  articles  in  horticulture  and  agriculture.  He 
is  now  dean  of  the  school  of  agriculture  in  this  college.  Henrietta  Calvin, 
who  was  dean  of  Home  Economics  until  1915,  is  now  the  Home  Pxonomics 
Specialist  of  the  Bureau  of  Education,  Department  of  Interior,  Washington, 
D.  C.  She  was  connected  with  Manhattan  Agricultural  College  in  Kansas 
and  Purdue  University,  LaFayette,  Indiana,  before  coming  to  Oregon  Agri- 
cultural College.  It  is  due  to  her  efforts  that  the  Home  Economics  School 
is  so  large  and  well  equipped  today. 

The  fraternities  for  men  represented  in  Oregon  are:  A  T  O  (national), 
1916;  r  Y  (local),  1912;  r  T  B  (local),  1914;  K  2  (national),  1915; 
K  2  N  (local),  1911  ;  <!>  A  2  (local),  1916;  2  A  E  (national),  1915.  The 
women's  fraternities  are:  AX  (local),  1914;  A  M  (local),  1915;  A  X  fi 
(national),    1915. 

University  of  Oklahoma  (Psi) 

The  University  of  Oklahoma  is  founded  upon  the  authority  of  an  act 
of  legislature  of  the  territory  of  Oklahoma,  entitled,  "An  act  to  locate 
and  establish  the  University  of  Oklahoma."  The  act  provided  that  when 
ten  thousand  dollars  and  forty  acres  of  land  should  be  given  to  the  territory 
by  the  city  of  Norman,  the  school  should  be  located  at  that  place.  These 
requirements  having  been  met,  the  University  of  Oklahoma  was  established 
at  Norman  in  1892. 

The  law  states  the  scope  and  purpose  of  the  school  as  follows : 

"(6787)  Sec.  9.  The  object  of  the  University  of  Oklahoma  shall  be 
to  provide  the  means  of  acquiring  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  various 
branches  of  learning  connected  with  scientific,  industrial,  and  professional 
pursuits,  in  the  instruction  and  training  of  persons  in  the  theory  and  art 
of  teaching,  and  also  the  fundamental  laws  of  the  United  States  and  this 
territory  in  what  regards  the  rights  and  duties  of  citizens. 

"(6788)  Sec.  10.  The  college  department  of  arts  shall  embrace  courses 
of  instruction  in  mathematical,  physical,  and  natural  .sciences  with  their 
applications  to  the  industrial  arts,  such  as  agriculture,  mechanics,  engineer- 
ing, mining  and  metallurgy,  manufacture,  architecture,  and  commerce,  and 
such  branches  included  in  the  college  of  letters  as  shall  be  necessary  to 
proper  fitness  of  pupils  in  the  scientific  and  practical  courses  of  their  chosen 
pursuits,  and  in  military  tactics ;  and  in  the  normal  department  the  proper 
instruction  and  learning  in  the  theorv  and  art  of  teaching  in  the  common 


Colleges  ix  Which  Alimia  Chi  Omkca  Has  Chapikrs  103 

schools;  and  as  soon  as  tlie  income  of  the  university  will  allow,  in  sucli 
order  as  tlie  wants  ot'  the  i>ul)lic  shall  seem  to  require,  the  said  courses  in 
the  sciences  and  their  application  to  the  practical  arts  shall  i)e  expanded 
into  distinct  colleges  of  arts,  and  shall  embrace  a  liberal  course  of  instruction 
in  languages,  literature,  and  philosophy,  together  with  such  courses  or  jtarts 
of  courses  in  the  college  of  arts  as  the  regents  of  the  unixersity  shall  jirescribe. 
"(6789)  Sec.  11.  .  The  university  shall  be  open  to  female  as  well  as 
to  male  students,  under  such  regulations  and  restrictions  as  the  board  of 
regents  may  deem  proper,  and  all  able-bodied  male  students  of  the  university 
in  whatever  college  may  receive  instruction  and  discipline  in  military  tactics, 
the  retiuisite  arms  for  which  shall  be  furnished  by  the  territory." 

'l"he  first  legislature  of  the  state,  in  1907,  adopted  the  territorial  law  in 
the  provisions  t^uoted  above,  with  such  additions  and  changes  in  details  as 
seemed  necessary  at  the  time. 

The  university  accepted  students  for  the  first  time  in  the  fall  of  1892. 
In  the  spring  of  1893  work  was  begun  on  the  first  building  which  was 
occupied  the  following  September.  During  the  first  years  the  instituti(m 
was  a  universitv  in  name  only  ;  a  very  large  majority  of  the  students  were 
members  of  the  lower  classes  of  the  ijreparatory  school. 

David  Ross  Bovd  was  president  of  the  university  from  1892  to  1908. 
Arthur  Grant  Evans  was  president  i)f  the  university  from  1908  to  1911. 
Julien  Charles  jNIonnet  was  acting  president  during  the  school  year  1911-12. 
Stratton  Duluth  Brooks  became  president  of  the  university  on  May  1.  1912. 
The  University  of  Oklahoma  comprises  the  following  colleges  and 
schools : 

The  Graduate  School. 

The  College  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  including 
The  School  of  Comiuerce  and  Industry. 
The  School  of  Education. 
The  School  of  Journalism. 
The  School  of  Fine  .\rts. 
The  School  of  Law. 
The  School  of   Medicine,  including 

The  Training  School   for  Nurses. 
The  School  of  Pharmacy. 
The   College  of   Engineering,   including 
The   School  of   Chemical    Engineering. 
The  School  of   Civil    Engineering. 
The  School  of  Electrical   Engineering. 
The  School  of  Mechanical   Engineering. 
The  School  of  Mining  (ieology. 
The   University   of    ( )klahoma  occupies   a   cami)us   of   one   hundred    and 
twentv  acres.     This  includes,  besides  the  original   forty  acres,   twenty  acres 
of  land  adjoining,  given  by  the  ]:)eople  of  Norman  in   1902.  and  si.xty  acres 
additional  land  lying  contiguous  to  the  original  campus,  which  was  obtained 
in   1914  in  exchange  for  a  section  i)(  land  granted  to  the  unix'ersity  by  Con- 


104  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

gress  in   1907.     By  tliis  exchange  the  university  also  secured  a  president's 
house  and  several  lots  adjacent  to  the  campus. 

The  foresight  of  the  early  administration  of  the  university  provided  for 
the  planting  of  an  abundance  of  trees,  which  have  now  grown  to  such  propor 
tions  as  to  increase  the  natural  beauty  of  the  location. 

Two  athletic  fields  have  been  establi.shed  on  the  campus,  one  for  the 
men  and  one  for  the  women.  The  athletic  field  for  the  men,  known  as 
Boyd  Field,  contains  a  quarter-mile  running  track,  two  gridirons,  and  two 
baseball  diamonds.  Alongside  the  field  is  a  grandstand  with  seating  capacity 
for  three  thousand  people.  The  entire  field  is  enclosed  by  a  permanent 
hedge.  . 

Washington  State  College    (Omega) 

The  State  College  of  Washington  at  Pullman,  though  a  Land  Grant 
College,  took  an  early  stand  in  requiring  a  high  standard  of  admission  which 
has  for  many  years  been  1 5  units.  Repeatedly  the  graduates  of  this  institution 
have  been  taking  a  master's  degree  in  the  greatest  universities  in  the  year  suc- 
ceeding the  bachelor's  degree  in  the  state  college.  This  has  been  the  first 
institution  in  the  Pacific  Northwest  to  establish  the  Cornell  System  of  depart- 
mental election,  and  great  development  along  that  line  has  been  made  since. 

The  technical  departments,  sciences,  and  liberal  arts  groups  are  all  verv 
completely  worked  out.  The  library  is  unsurpassed,  if  equalled,  by  any  in 
the  Northwest  in  English  and  History.  The  ample  endowment  under  state 
and  national  laws  gives  a  safe  guarantee  of  the  growth  and  permanence  of  the 
institution. 

The  campus  of  the  college  is  situated  on  an  elevation  which  overlooks  the 
town  of  Pullman  and  the  rather  fascinating  and  ever  changing  Palouse  valleys. 
Thirteen  buildings,  all  of  which  are  in  fine  condition,  and  two  of  which  have 
just  been  finished,  are  in  use.  The  property  of  the  institution  is  valued  at 
$1,516,552. 

A  most  interesting  part  of  the  college  is  the  heating  system.  A  heating 
plant  on  the  campus  furnishes  the  heat  and  light  which  is  transmitted  to  every 
building  through  large  underground  tunnels.  The  system  is  very  efficient,  and 
many  of  the  students  get' practical  experience  in  this  plant. 

The  football  team,  besides  defeating  every  worth-while  team  in  the  North- 
west last  year,  defeated  Brown  University  at  Pasadena,  California,  on  New 
Year's  Day  with  a  score  of  15-0.  With  practically  the  same  men  a  large  turn- 
out, and  more  experience,  this  year  even  bigger  successes  are  expected.  The 
coach,  W.  H.  Dietz,  is  a  Sioux  Indian,  and  a  graduate  of  Carlyle.  He  has 
been  successful  indeed,  and  with  his  methods  has  won  the  loyalty  and  coopera- 
tion of  his  men. 

A  marked  democratic  spirit  exists  in  the  Washington  State  College  and 
is  appreciated  by  the  new  students  especially  who  are  made  welcome  from  the 
very  beginning.  It  has  been  a  commendable  fact  also  that  the  usual  problems 
arising  from  the  existence  of  fraternities  have  been  felt  very  little.  As  the 
town  is  so  small  there  is  very  little  to  take  away  the  interest  of  the  student,  and 


Colleges  in  Which  Alpha  Chi  Omkoa  Has  Chapters  105 

so  everyone  is  vitally  interested  in  things  that  pertain  to  the  college.  The 
social  affairs  and  athletics  are  especially  wide  awake  and  full  of  spirit.  The 
whole  atmosphere  of  the  college,  like  that  of  all  our  western  universities,  is 
permeated  with  the  spirit  of  the  L^rcat  West. 

"<)ut  where  tlie  handclasp's  a  little  stronger, 

Out  where  a  smile  dwells  a  little  longer, 
That's  where  the  West  begins ! 

Out  where  the  sun  is  a  little  brighter. 
Where  the  snows  that  fall  are  a  little  whiter, 

Where  the  bonds  of  home  are  a  wee  bit  tighter. 
That's  where  the  West  ])egins  ! 

Out  where  the  skies  are  a  little  bluer. 

Out  where  the  friendship's  a  little  truer. 
That's  where  the  West  begins  ; 

Out  where  a  fresher  breeze  is  blowing. 
Where  there's  laughter  in  every  streamlet  flowing, 

Where  there's  more  of  reaping  and  less  of  sowing. 
That's  where  the  ^^'est  begins. 

Out  where  the  world  is  in  the  making. 

Where  fewer  hearts  with  despair  are  aching. 

That's  where  the  "West  begins ; 

Where  there's  more  of  singing  and  less  of  sighing. 

Where  there's  more  of  giving  and  less  of  l>uying, 
And  a  man  makes  friends  without  half  trying. 

That's  where  the  West  begins!" 

Arthur  Chapman. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE  ALUMNA  ASSOCIATION 

A  fraternity,  it  is  believed,  is  as  strong  as  its  alumnit ;  its  government, 
extension,  journalism,  wealth,  and  prestige  depend  upon  them.  All  of  the 
older  fraternities,  therefore,  the  mass  of  whose  membership  is  beyond  college 
halls,  have  extensive  organizations  of  their  alumnae.  This  is  true  as  well  of 
many  newer  fraternities  who  wisely  seek  to  conserve  their  assets  in  alumnae 
influence  from  the  beginning.  Pi  Beta  Phi  (as  I.  C.)  formed  an  alumnae  chap- 
ter in  1881,  and,  in  1892,  a  separate  alumna?  organization.  In  1889,  Alpha  Phi 
established  two  alumnae  chapters.  In  1892,  Delta  Delta  Delta,  Kappa  Kappa 
Gamma,  and  Gamma  Phi  Beta  formed  similar  chapters,  Kappa  Kappa 
Gamma  establishing  a  national  alumuit  organization  in  1906.  In  1893. 
Kappa  Alpha  Theta  began  its  roll  of  alumnse  chapters,  Delta  Gamma  in 
1895,  following  with  a  second  chapter  in  1903,  and  Chi  Omega  founded 
its  first  alumna-  chapter  in  1900.  Alpha  Chi  Omega  provided  for  alumnae 
chapters  in  1902,  but  did  not  establish  them  until  1906. 

The  outcome  has  shown  the  wisdom  of  the  practise.  Through  close  asso- 
ciation the  alumnae  retain  their  sympathetic,  well-informed  interest  in  the 
fraternity.  Their  grasp  of  fraternity  questions  widens  as  their  fraternity 
develops  fresh  problems.  Their  continued  identification  in  interest  with  the 
welfare  of  the  undergraduate  members  results  in  responsiveness  to  appeals 
for  advice  or,  it  may  be,  for  funds  from  their  respective  active  chapters,  and 
makes  chapters  well  knit,  not  only  for  the  acquisition  of  desirable  members 
and  the  enforcing  of  traditions  of  high  scholarship  and  fine  social  standards, 
but  even  renders  possible  the  ownership  of  dignified  and  tasteful  chapter 
homes.  National  undertakings,  such  as  scholarship  funds,  as  well  as  local 
efforts,  are  financed  with  willingness.  And,  what  is  of  vital  importance  to 
a  well-governed  fraternity,  the  intelligence  of  organized  alumnae  concerning 
fraternity  conditions  and  policies  renders  them  adaptal)le  for  national  service, 
and  solves  the  ever-present  question  of  efficient  and  available  material  for 
national  officers. 

The  beginning  of  the  organization  of  the  alumnae  of  Alpha  Chi  (^mega 
may  be  traced  directly  to  traditional  chapter  reunions.  From  the  early 
nineties  the  older  chapters  began  to  hold  annual  reunions  to  which  as  many 
alumns  as  possible  returned  to  visit  the  chapter  and  the  college.  Alpha  and 
Beta,  of  course,  are  the  pioneers  in  this  splendid  custom  ;  and  it  is  noteworthy 
that  no  chapters  equal,  in  enthusiasm  and  in  elaborate  preparations,  the 
annual  reunions  of  the  oldest  chapters.  Upon  her  biennial  reunion. 
Beta  lavs  the  most  emphasis.  For  this  gathering  she  sends  cordial  invitations 
to  every  alumna,  keeps  open  house  throughout  the  day,  usually  giving  both  a 
luncheon  and  a  dinner  in  the  lodge.  A  program  is  given  sometimes  for  the 
guests.  Beta,  moreover,  celebrates  more  than  one  reunion  each  year.  The 
annual  reunion  of  Alpha,  given  by   Beta   Beta  alumnae  chapter,  is  held  at 


The  Alumn.k  Association  107 

the  Claypool  Hotel.  Indianapolis,  and  is  a  brilliant  function.  About  a 
hundred  persons  attend  the  l)an(]uet.  Delta's  most  characteristic  gathering 
is  an  August  outing  at  a  convenient  lake  wliither  both  undergraduates  and 
alumn;p  repair  for  a  gala  time.  A  reunion  in  commencement  also  takes  place 
near  Meadville.  Mu's  ainiual  assembling  of  alumnae  is  in  the  form  of  a 
house  party  during  rommencemtnt,  or  immediately  following,  and  serves  to 
keep  many  alumntie  in  close  touch  with  the  college  as  well  as  with  the  chapter. 
These  annual  gatherings,  wliicli  are  now  customs  of  ]»ra<'ti('allv  every  chapter, 
have  kept  strong  tlie  tie  which  bound  the  abinma  girl,  in  the  early  days, 
to  her  chapter  and   her  university. 

Apart  from  any  invitation  from  the  active  chapters,  in  the  large  and 
smaller  centers  of  the  United  States,  informal  groups  of  alumna;  members  of 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  early  tended  to  gather  occasionally  for  social  or  altruistic 
purposes.  The  advantage  of  organized  alumnse  association  had  long  been 
fully  understood  by  the  Greek-letter  world  when  Alpha  Chi  Omega  laid 
plans,  in  an  unhurried  way,  for  alumnae  organization  several  years  before 
actual  steps  were  taken  toward  its  realization.  The  first  duty  of  an  alumna, 
it  was  thought,  was  to  her  own  active  chapter,  and  for  twenty-odd  years  the 
main  channel  of  relationship  between  the  alumnae  and  the  national  organiza- 
tion was  by  way  of  the  college  chapter.  Two  facts,  however,  urged  the  need 
for  independent  alumnae  organization  :  in  increasing  numbers,  members  were 
residing  at  great  distance  from  their  cnvn  chapters,  and  finding  close,  per- 
sonal touch  with  them  impracticable,  desired  association  with  those  members 
of  the  fraternity  in  convenient  proximity  ;  experiments  had  proved,  more- 
over, that  alumna?  engaged  in  national  work  were  more  vitally  interested 
than  before  in  tlie  progress  of  their  individual  chapters.  As  a  result,  there- 
fore, of  pressure  both  from  beyond  and  from  within  the  national  council, 
definite  steps  w'ere  taken  for  organizing  members  beyond  college  halls. 

The  first  legislation  in  the  matter  was  passed  at  the  Evanston  convention 
in  1902.  This  action  provided  for  the  chartering  of  alumna'  chapters.  In 
1904  a  further  step  was  taken  in  the  decision  l)y  the  national  convention  that 
alumnae  chapters  which  should  be  founded  were  to  be  on  the  same  footing  in 
convention  as  the  undergraduate  cliapters  through  representation  by  a  voting 
delegate.  The  following  convention  legislated  that  alumnae  chapters  should 
have  a  separate  form  of  charter.  In  that  year,  1906.  two  alumna^  chapters 
were  chartered.  Alpha  Alpha  at  Chicago,  and  Beta  Beta  at  Indianajiolis. 
in  both  of  which  centers  alumna-  had  long  met  informally.  Informal  meet- 
ings preceded  organization  also  in  New  York.  Boston.  Lincoln,  Berkeley,  and 
Seattle.  The  year  after  the  founding  of  Alpha  Alpha  and  Beta  Beta.  1907, 
saw  the  establishment  of  (lamina  Oamma  in  New  York  City.  Acro.ss  the 
continent,  in  1908.  Delta  Delta  Cliajjter  was  founded  at  Los  Angeles.  1909, 
like  1906  and  1913.  saw  two  new  alumna^  chapters:  Epsilon  Epsilon  at 
Detroit,  and  Zeta  Zeta  at  Boston.  In  1910  the  revision  of  the  charter  made 
it  possible  for  both  active  and  alumna'  chapters  to  use  the  same  document. 
The  Madison  alumna'  were  granted  a  charter  as  I'.ta  Kta  Chapter  in  191L 
Two  years  afterwards.  'I'heta  Theta  and  Iota  lota  were  founded  at  Ik-rkelev 


108  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

and  Seattle,  and  were  followed  in   1914  by  three  groups.  Kappa  Kappa  at 
Lincoln,  Lambda  Lambda  at  Grand  Rapids,  and  Mu  Mu  at  Kansas  City. 

Alumnse  organization  had,  by  this  time,  become  very  popular ;  as  the 
establishment  of  twenty-two  alumnte  clubs  during  the  three  years  of  1914, 
1915,  and  1916,  eloquently  declares.  During  1914  alumnit  of  Decatur,  111.; 
Eastern  Oklahoma;  St.  Louis;  Des  Moines;  Albion,  Mich.;  and  Milwaukee 
petitioned  for  and  were  granted  organization  as  alumnae  clubs.  This  action 
followed  upon  the  steps  of  the  recommendation  of  the  Council  to  alumna' 
in  smaller  cities  and  college  towns  that  six  or  more  alumna?  should  form 
alumnae  clubs,  the  dues  and  duties  of  which  should  be  lighter  than  those  of 
alumnae  chapters,  and  the  legislation  in  1914  that  each  alumnae  chapter  should, 
henceforth,  first  exist  for  one  year  as  a  club,  hi  1915  eleven  clubs  were 
chartered  at  Omaha;  Portland,  Ore. ;  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Pittsburgh ;  Greens- 
burg,  Ind. ;  Oil  City,  Pa. ;  Atlanta,  Ga. ;  Boulder,  Colo. ;  and  Terre  Haute, 
Ind.  The  year  1916  added  four  more  clubs  to  the  roll:  Pueblo  and  Denver, 
Colo. ;  Galesburg,  111. ;  and  Greencastle,  Ind.  Two  alumnae  club  petitions 
for  charters  as  alumnae  chapters  are  pending  the  1917  Convention. 

This  tremendous  growth  in  alumnae  organization  may  be  traced  to  the 
recent  policy  of  the  Fraternity  to  unify  its  ranks  for  the  sake  of  the  accom- 
plishment of  specific  national  aims.  To  this  end  the  1915  Convention  estab- 
lished an  alumnae  association,  and  created  in  the  Council  the  office  of  alumnae 
vice-president  who  serves  as  chairman  of  the  alumnae  association.  To  this 
office  was  elected  an  experienced  member  of  the  preceding  council.  Miss 
Lillian  G.  Zimmerman.  The  other  officers  of  the  Association  are  Mrs.  R.  G. 
Dunkle,  treasurer,  and  Miss  Vera  Southwick,  secretary. 

The  requirements  which  the  Association  makes  of  affiliated  associations 
are  such  as  will  enable  the  alumnae  to  follow  closely  not  only  the  work  of 
their  own  active  chapters  but  likewise  the  national  proceedings  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega,  and  the  work  of  the  Panhellenic  movement.  One  meeting  of  each 
alumnae  association  is  devoted  annually  to  a  study  of  the  Constitution  and 
Code;  one  to  the  Panhellenic  movement;  and  throughout  the  year  all  asso- 
ciations labor  definitely  for  at  least  one  division  of  national  work.  What  they 
have  achieved  separately  along  these  lines  will  appear  in  the  individual 
accounts  of  the  alumnae  chapters  and  alumnae  clubs.  Alumnae  are  urged  to 
keep  abreast  of  educational  progress  generally  by  taking  part  when  convenient 
in  the  splendid  endeavors  of  the  Association  of  Collegiate  Alumnae,  college 
clubs,  and  city  Panhellenic  Associations.  In  the  various  branches  of  the  last- 
mentioned  movement,  alumnie  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  have  been  concerned 
vitally  both  in  their  formation  and  in  their  administration. 

The  scope  and  plans  of  the  Alumnae  Association  are  covered  in  the  1916 
report  of  the  alumnae  vice-president  to  the  National  Council,  part  of  which 
we  quote : 

"The  general  alumnae  work  covers  an  extensive  field;  a  mere  summary  of 
what  has  been  done  during  the  past  nine  months  includes  the  desire  of  the 
chairman  firstly  to  extend  alumnae  interest  by  the  addition  of  new  clubs, 
secondly  to  strengthen  those  groups  already  organized,  and  thirdly  to  help  to 


The  Ai.umx.k  Association  109 

broaden  the  outlook  of  all  .groups  not  only  to  c-nihrace  specific  work  for  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  alone,  but  also  to  represent  us  in  city  Panhellenics,  college  cluijs. 
and  the  Association  of  Collegiate  Alumme,  and  l)y  field  work  to  further  the 
general  interests  of  the  Fraternity.  That  our  activities  have  been  broadened 
is  evinced  by  the  number  of  city  Panhellenic  offices  held  by  our  alumns 
groups.  Fully  one-third  represent  us  in  these  by  holding  offices :  Cleveland, 
Decatur,  Mu  Mu,  Pueblo,  Eastern  Oklahoma,  St.  Louis,  Theta  Theta,  Omaha. 
Atlanta,   Pittsburgh,   Portland.     *     * 

"Each  alumnae  group  was  asked  to  identify  itself  with  at  least  one  special 
branch  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  work  chosen  by  the  group.  Several  groups  are 
to  be  commended  for  their  interest  along  every  Alpha  Chi  Omega  activity, 
notably  Theta  Theta,  Kappa  Kappa,  Eastern  Oklahoma,  Mu  Mu,  Portland, 
and  Pittsburgh.  Since  the  facts  concerning  the  service  of  the  difi'erent  asso- 
ciations may  serve  as  an  inspiration  to  other  groups,  their  activities  are  here 
enumerated.  The  Milwaukee  and  Eastern  Oklahoma  Clubs  are  furnishing 
guestrooms  in  the  new  homes  of  Kappa  and  Psi.  Kappa  Kappa  and  Albion 
are  campaigning  for  life  subscriptions  to  The  Lyre,  the  latter  for  twentv-five. 
Kappa  Kappa  also  maintains  a  scholarship  for  Xi  and  is  endeavoring  to 
prepare  more  girls  in  Xi  for  Phi  Beta  Kappa.  Alpha  Alpha  and  Delta 
Delta  are  working  on  convention  funds.  Those  successful  in  gaining  non- 
resident members  are  Portland  and  Pueblo.  Extension  work  is  done  bv  Iota 
Iota,  Atlanta,  and  Gamma  Gamma.  Equipment  work  is  cared  for  by  Theta 
Theta.  Diligent  in  helping  to  raise  chapter  building-funds  are  Eta  Eta  and 
Theta  Theta.  Four  additional  clubs,  Galesburg,  Pittsburgh,  Cleveland,  and 
Washington  have  pledged  to  the  Reserve  Fund.  Theta  Theta  has  pledged 
twenty-five  dollars  to  the  Scholarship  Fund,  and  Milwaukee,  ten  dollars ; 
Kappa  Kappa,  Washington,  D.  C,  and  Gamma  Gamma  have  signified  their 
intentions  of  contributing  their  share  toward  the  same.  Zeta  Zeta  is  active  in 
French  relief  work.  Omaha,  Delta  Delta,  Iota  Iota.  Mu  Mu,  Des  Moines, 
and  Cleveland  are  interested  in  local  charities.  Milwaukee  and  Beta  Beta 
give  successful  annual  state  luncheons  to  Alpha  Chi  Omegas  in  their  respec- 
tive states.  Those  eleven  interested  in  Panhellenic  aft'airs  are  elsewhere 
enumerated.  Epsilon  Epsilon  is  to  present  a  scholarship  cup  to  the  chapter 
making  the  greatest  improvement  during  the  year.      *     * 

"The  number  of  alumna-  paying  dues  in  the  four  following  ways  (exclu- 
sive of  the  financial  support  which  alumnae  are  giving  toward  building-funds), 
in  alumnce  chapters,  in  alumnae  clubs,  in  non-resident  fees  for  alumnae  chap- 
ters and  clubs,  and  in  alumna;  notes  are  about  thirty-five  per  cent  of  the  total 
alumnae  membership." 

The  Alumn*  Association,  as  an  organization,  has  published  the  1916 
edition  of  the  fraternity  directory,  and  has  assumed  charge  of  the  Scholarship 
Fund. 

Alumnae  organization  has  been  traced  to  its  source  in  the  traditional  chap- 
ter reunions.  There  have  been,  in  addition,  a  number  of  other  forces  which 
have  affected  vitally  alumnie  interest,  and  liave  heli)i.d  to  make  possible  the 
broad  existing  svstem. 


110  Tin;   History  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Among  these  forces  the  publications  of  the  Fraternity  rank  first.  The 
Lyre,  authorized  ^vhen  the  Fraternity  was  but  six  years  old,  and  issued  three 
years  later,  has.  from  its  first  appearance,  contributed,  to  an  incalculable 
degree,  to  the  maintenance  of  a  living  bond  among  the  members.  In  The  Lyre 
for  March,  1897,  occur  these  words  in  an  editorial:  "The  inspiration  which 
we  receive  from  association  in  our  respective  chapters  is  intensified  by  the 
union  of  the  chapters.  The  Lyre  should  be  the  connecting  link  which  binds 
all  who  wear  the  Scarlet  and  ( )live."  Such  a  link  the  magazine  has  ever  been. 
It  has  published  news  of  alumnte.  and  has  presented  accounts  of  their  achieve- 
ments and  their  avocations.  It  has  included  in  its  pages  expressions  of  their 
opinions  on  artistic  and  educational  subjects.  It  has.  persistently,  and  with 
news  of  their  good  friends  for  bait,  persuasively  campaigned  for  financial 
support.  With  the  perfection  of  the  system  of  the  life  subscription  for  all 
initiates,  The  Lyre  will  be  a  still  greater  power  in  cementing  the  relation 
between  members  and  their  fraternity. 

The  Alumna  Letter,  issued  in  1908,  1909,  1911,  and.  in  different  form, 
before  the  convention  of  1912  and  1915.  has  done  its  share  in  informing 
the  alumnae  of  the  progress  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

The  Directory,  published  twice  by  the  national  treasury  ai:id  three  times 
by  The  Lyre  treasury,  has  been  of  greatest  value.  Though  often  incorrect  in 
addresses  because  of  an  imperfect  system  in  the  keeping  of  the  fraternity 
records,  it  has  been  a  practical  guide  to  the  renewal  of  correspondence 
between  many  sisters  and  to  personal  calls  from  many  travelers. 

The  private  journals,  the  Heraeum  and  the  Ars^olid.  since  their  first 
appearance  in  1911  and  1913,  respectively,  have  accomplished  more  than 
any  other  publication  in  awakening  response  from  alumnte  regarding  the 
inner  workings  of  the  organization. 

The  Songbook.  first  published  in  1894.  is  the  veteran  among  the  publi- 
cations of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  It  has  been  published  in  four  different  editions, 
and  is  destined  to  run  through  many  more  before  its  service  shall  be  ended. 
The  Songs  of  Alpha  Chi  have  kept  warm  in  numberless  hearts  the  sweet 
memories  of  fraternity  associations,  and  sympathetic  enthusiasm  for  fra- 
ternity progress. 

In  1911  the  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  provided  much  data  of 
value  in  convenient  form.  It  is  the  present  policy  of  the  Fraternity  to  equip 
all  new  members  with  this  volume,  as  well  as  with  the  other  important  pub- 
lications, to  prevent  the  possibility  of  ignorance  of  or  lack  of  appreciation  of 
the  significance  and  the  traditions  of  the  organization. 

One  chapter.  Iota  (University  of  Illinois),  issues  a  newspaper.  The 
Eyeota,  to  her  own  alumnae.  On  the  first  page  is  the  statement :  "Published 
as  best  we  can  and  whenever  we  can."  It  is  a  splendidly  edited  publication, 
and  is  overflowing  with  enthusiasm  and  interesting  news.  It  contains  about 
as  much  composition  as  an  enterprising  university  newspaper.  This  is  one 
of  lota's  methods  of  holding  on  to  her  alumnae. 

Lambda  (Syracuse  University)  has  a  separate  alumnae  organization,  with 
officers,   and   with   duties   toward   the   active   chapter.      This   organization   is 


The  Alumx.k  Association  HI 

thoroughly  businesslike  and  effirient.  It  has  arromplished  much,  and  has 
made  possible  for  Lambda  the  ownership  of  a  magnificent  new  home. 

Theta  (University  of  Michigan).  Kapjia  (  Tniversitv  of  Wisconsin), 
Omicron  (Baker  University),  Pi  (University  of  Ualifornia),  and  Iota,  all 
have  effective,  workable  aluniniv  organizations.  All  of  these  chapters,  except 
Iota,  work  without  a  chapter  publication.  All  chapters  cooperate  actively 
with  the  management  of  The  Lyre  in  conserving  the  attachment  of  their 
alumnae  to  the  national  magazine. 

Another  force  which  has  contributed  with  great  success  to  the  enlistment 
of  active  alumna?  affinitv  has  been  the  foundation  of  national  funds  for 
specific  purposes.  The  Reserve  Fund  received  contributions  from  numerous 
alumuit  while  most  alumn;e  chapters  and  most  alumna*  clul^s  liave  con- 
tributed. The  Scholarship  Fund  is  h\rgely  an  alumnie  enterjirise.  And  the 
system  of  Alumnte  Notes,  managed  by  the  Deputy  to  the  National  Treasurer, 
is  of  benefit  not  only  to  the  active  chapters,  but  to  the  alumnic.  who  are 
interested  in  the  use  made  of  their  contributions. 

The  Reserve  Fund,  which  will  be  of  increasing  service  in  the  building 
of  chapter  houses,  and  ultimatelv  for  an  endowment  for  the  Fraternitv.  appeals 
deeply  to  the  alumna'  because  of  its  practicability.  By  cooperation  with  the 
Reserve  Fund  and  the  Scholarship  Fund,  the  alumms-  members  find  it  possi- 
ble to  render  large  services  of  an  attractive  nature  which  they  could  not 
attempt  to  offer  as  individuals. 

Not  merely  through,  and  for  the  sake  of  financial  support  did  the  remark- 
able awakening  of  alumn;e  interest  tif  the  past  decade  manifest  itself.  It 
is  to  be  seen  most  impressivelv  in  the  development  of  the  committee  system 
of  service.  During  the  first  years  of  the  Fraternity,  tasks  were  frequently 
assigned  to  a  chapter  to  perform,  and  the  appointment  of  needed  commit- 
tees wa,s  made  within  that  chapter.  Much  of  the  work  of  committees  was 
done  at  conventions.  \\'htn  the  (irand  Council  was  established  in  1898  as 
the  governing  body  of  the  Fraternity,  the  important  committees  necessary  to 
the  work  of  the  organization  were  appointed,  for  a  number  of  years,  princi- 
pally within  that  body.  Of  the  first  official  meeting  of  the  Cirand  Council, 
in  1903,  Kate  Calkins  Drake  says,  in  The  Lyre  several  years  later:  "Much 
of  the  work  to  be  finished  was  left  to  committees.  From  the  work  of  the.se 
came  the  first  examinations,  the  revision  of  the  initiation  ceremony,  some 
system  of  identification  and  afiiliation,  and  a  successful  struggle  for  proper 
recognition  in  Baird's  Manual."  These  committees,  we  find,  which  Mrs. 
Drake  designated,  were  suxt-n  in  numl)er.  and  all  were  Council  members. 
But  Avhile  the  Fraternitv  was  still  in  the  first  decade  of  the  twentieth  century, 
the  volume  of  work  was  too  vast  for  these  committees  of  the  Council.  Com- 
mittees made  up  of  alumnsi"  and  one  member  of  the  Council  appear  on  the 
minutes,  and  occasionalh'  alunnue  who  had  no  ofticial  connection  with  the 
Council  were  commissioned  for  a  large  service.  The  amount  of  service 
rendered  bv  all  these  committees  was  prodigious  :  but  it  was  not  continuous. 

The  staff  of  The  Lyre  constituted  a  standing  committee  of  a  khid.  it  is 
true,  from  earlv  davs.     Not  until  the  beginning  of  the  chartering  of  alumn.T 


112  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 

chapters  in  1906  did  standing  committees  appear.  In  1907  it  was  legislated 
that  each  chapter  should  elect  an  alumnte  adviser.  Since  these  officers  stand 
in  close  relation  to  the  National  Council,  and  their  duties  are  continuous, 
we  may  consider  them  as  standing  committees.  In  1908  a  committee  for  the 
revision  of  the  Initiation  Ceremony  was  appointed  which  developed  into  the 
Ritual  and  Equipment  committee  of  the  present.  In  1908  the  president 
appointed  a  committee  on  constitutional  changes,  which  by  1910  had  become 
the  permanent  committee  on  Organization  and  Laws.  Like  the  one  on  the 
ritual,  this  committee  had  been  preceded  by  a  number  of  committees  which  had 
served  briefly  in  the  same  cause.  These  two  important  committees  mark  the 
beginning  of  distinguished  service  by  standing  committees.  They  were  both 
composed,  as  it  is  interesting  to  note,  of  members  of  Gamma  Gamma  Alumnae 
Chapter  who  could  gather  frequently  and  could  work  together  with  limitless 
resources  at  hand  in  the  libraries  of  the  metropolis.  Mrs.  Kent,  Mrs.  Green, 
and  Mrs.  Fall  made  up  the  former  committee ;  the  personnel  of  the  latter  was 
Mrs.  Fall  and  Mrs.  Green,  until  1914.  In  that  year,  however,  the  work  for  a 
new  edition  fell  into  the  hands  of  two  Council  members,  Mrs.  Loud  and  Miss 
Armstrong,  and  after  the  convention  of  1915,  was  consummated  by  Miss 
Griffith,  the  National  Secretary.  The  stories  of  these  two  committees  are  simi- 
lar to  those  of  others  of  our  splendid  list  of  standing  committees.  For,  about 
the  year  1910,  the  Twenty-fifth  Anniversary  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  the  policy 
of  Standing  Committees  appears  unmistakable  in  several  of  the  thirty-three 
committees  announced  at  that  convention.  These  committees  work  with  the 
Council,  often  without  a  Council  member  among  the  appointees,  or  it  may 
be,  including  all  the  members  of  an  alumnae  chapter.  The  availability  of 
alumnae  in  organized  groups  for  national  service  has  been  repeatedly  demon- 
strated. The  steady  development  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  many  directions 
during  the  past  decade  may  be  explained  by  the  co5peration  of  alumnae  with 
the  Council  in  this  matter  of  committee  service.  The  members  of  the  Council 
still  serve  on  many  committees,  and  committee  service  still  looms  mountain- 
ous upon  the  horizon  of  Council  work ;  but  no  list  of  appointed  committees 
now  is  constituted  entirely  of  Council  members.  In  fact.  154  alumnae  are 
engaged  in  the  national  work  of  the  organization  today,  in  the  following 
Standing  Committees:  Executive,  Organization  and  Laws,  Extension,  Chap- 
ter Houses,  Reserve  Fund,  Traditions  Committee,  Macdowell  Studio,  Alumnae, 
Finance,  Publications,  Official  Supplies,  Examinations,  Lyre  Finance  Board, 
Ritual  and  Equipment,  and  Panhellenic  Committees.  The  division  of  work- 
ers is : 

National  Council 7      Traditions  Committee   2 

Province  Presidents 5      Supplies    1 

Lyre  Staff 3      Examinations    2 

Alumnae  Advisers 24      Ritual  and  Equipment 1 

Extension  Board   61       Records  and  Archives 1 

Deputies    2      Custodian  Badge   1 

Alumnae  Organization  . 3      Custodian  Songbook    1 

Reserve  Fund  Committee 2      Deputy   Songbook    1 


The  Alumn.i-:  Associatiox  113 

Scholarship  Committee   3      Special  Initiation  Revision 2 

Vocational  Committee 5      Local  Convention  Committee ....      3 

Initiation  Revision 1       Alumnje   Editors    23 

ToT.M I  54 

The  time  will  come  when  every  alumna  who  is  willing  to  give  ever  so 
little  time  to  the  national  work  may  be  able  to  find,  easily,  congenial  tasks. 
Such  volunteer  work  will  add  enormously  to  the  already  significant  volume  of 
alumnit  service,  and  will  increase  tremendously  the  power  of  the  Fraternity. 

The  Alumnae  Association,  we  believe,  has  but  begun  its  work.  In  the 
future  what  seems  to  us  now  a  remarkable  growth  of  alumnae  service  will 
seem  a  mere  huml)le  beginning.  The  newly  created  National  Scholarship 
Committee  and  National  Vocational  Committee,  both  pregnant  with  possi- 
bility for  the  good  of  undergraduates  and  graduates  alike,  are  entirely  alumnal 
enterprises.  The  Scholarship  Fund,  as  remarked  above,  is  largely  an  alumnal 
interest.  Extension  work  cries  to  be  developed  on  all  sides  in  new  college 
fields,  and  among  the  alumnae.  In  a  very  few  years  we  shall  see,  no  doubt, 
an  alumnae  association  with  a  self-supporting  department  of  its  own,  with 
its  own  offices,  and  sessions  of  its  own  at  national  conventions  of  which  the 
beginning  was  made  in  1915.  That  day  is  already  in  sight,  and  it  means  far 
greater  usefulness  and  prestige  than  Alpha  (.'hi  ( )mega  has  yet  seen,  even 
in  prospect,  in  her  thirtv-one  years  of  happiness. 


CHAPTER  IX 

ALUMNA  CHAPTERS 

Alpha  Alpha  Chapter  was  established  May  23,  1906,  as  the  Chicago 
Alumnae  Chapter,  the  first  of  the  chartered  alumnse  groups.  The  organiza- 
tion was  effected  through  the  efforts  of  Gamma  alumnae,  who  for  several 
years  had  maintained  an  informal  alumnee  association,  assisted  by  alumna; 
of  several  other  chapters.  The  bancpet  in  honor  of  the  founding  was  held 
in  the  Woman's  Clubrooms  in  Evanston,  111.,  May  23,  1906,  and  was  pre- 
ceded by  an  enjoyable  card  party  at  which  the  Gamma  alumnae  entertained 
the  local  active  chapter  as  well  as  alumnae  from  other  chapters.  At  the  busi- 
ness meeting  that  ensued,  the  charter  officers  were  elected  and  plans  were 
made  for  the  year,  including  two  business  meetings  and  two  musicales,  besides 
monthly  luncheons  in  Chicago.  The  schedule  was  changed  in  1908  to  four 
business  meetings  a  year  instead  of  two,  and  in  addition,  monthly  gatherings 
at  the  homes  of  members.  At  the  annual  banquet  of  that  year  Madame 
Zeisler  was  guest  of  honor,  "and  gave  a  delightful  informal  talk." 
Characteristics  of  Alpha  Alpha's  history  have  been  the  annual  elaborate 
banquet ;  the  two  musicales  each  year,  at  times  with  Gamma  Chap- 
ter and  other  resident  and  non-resident  Alpha  Chis  as  guests ;  and  summer 
"porch  parties."  Luncheons  in  Chicago  tea-rooms  have  been  given  fre(]uently 
for  the  sake  of  convenience.  In  1910  Madame  Julia  Rive-King  was  guest 
of  honor  at  the  annual  banquet.  The  toast  program  of  the  banquet  of  1913 
was  unique  and,  at  the  same  time,  of  intrinsic  value.  Each  speaker  gave  a 
different  phase  of  the  significance  of  the  coat-of-arms.  Alpha  Alpha  has 
been  present  at  the  National  Panhellenic  luncheon  in  Chicago,  and  has  often 
had  occasion  to  meet  National  Officers  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  In  1909  she 
entertained  the  entire  Council,  who  were  assembled  in  Evanston,  at  a  "large 
formal  reception,  to  which  the  faculty  and  all  the  fraternities  were  invited, 
in  the  rooms  of  the  University  Guild."  Again  in  1915,  Alpha  Alpha  made 
plans  to  extend  hospitality  to  the  national  officers  and  also  to  delegates  to 
convention  at  a  "send-off  dinner."  Of  this  function  the  chronicler  records: 
"The  'Send-off'  dinner  proved  an  unusually  enjoyable  event,  held  as  it  was 
in  the  main  dining-room  of  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  railway  station 
in  Chicago  at  6  :30  p.  m.,  on  June  23,  just  previous  to  the  departure  of  the 
convention  special  train  for  California.  Covers  were  laid  for  seventy-two 
at  the  various  tables  prettily  decorated  with  our  scarlet  carnations  and  ferns. 
All  who  could  not  attend  the  convention  enjoyed  visiting  with  the  members 
of  National  Council  and  the  various  chapter  delegates  and  visitors  before  time 
for  the  'special'  to  depart,  thus  giving  us  a  slight  glimpse  of  the  personnel 
of  the  convention."  Since  her  installation  in  1906,  Alpha  Alpha  has  enrolled 
eighty-seven  members.  She  has  furnished  a  number  of  national  officers  to 
the  Fraternity  and  of  alumnae  advisers  for  Gamma  Chapter.  Assistance  at 
initiation  and  at  social  affairs  has  been  rendered  Gamma.     By  virtue  of  her 


A i.uM.N.E  Chapters  115 

■cosmopolitan  memhersliip.  Alpha  Ali)lia  is  a  very  representative  chapter.  The 
charter  members  were:  Elizabeth  Tompkins  Bradstreet,  Ora  Bond  Burman, 
Juliet  Fauck  Colwell,  Theodora  Chaffee,  Myrte  McKean  Dennis,  Grace 
Kricson,  Marjorie  Gralius,  Tina  Mae  Haines,  Cordelia  Hanson,  Emma 
Hanson.  Blanche  Huj^hes  Hinckley,  June  Ogden  Hunter,  Mabel  Jones.  Irene 
Stevens  Kidder,  Mabel  Dunn  Madson.  Ethel  Calkins  McDonald,  Carrie 
Holbrook  Miller,  Lucie  McMaster  Niles,  (iertrude  Ogden,  Ida  Pratt,  Marion 
Ewell  Pratt,  Grace  Richardson,  Elizabeth  Scales,  Katharine  Scales,  Cora 
Seegars,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller.  Mary  Vose.  Florence  Childs  Wooley,  Lillian 
Siller  Wyckoff,  Ella  Voung. 

Beta  Beta  Chapter,  Indianapolis,  Ind.  Early  in  1901  the  resident  alumnae 
of  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  conceived  the  idea  of  entertaining  the  members  of 
Alpha  Chapter,  who  would  come  to  the  city  at  the  time  of  the  State  Oratori- 
cal Contest.  Mrs.  Joseph  Taggart  ofiferetl  her  home,  and  a  reception  was 
held  on  the  fourth  Friday  of  Fel)ruary.  Regular  gatherings  followed,  meet- 
ings being  held  once  each  month.  A  program  was  usually  rendered,  after 
which  a  social  time  was  enjoved.  In  January,  1906,  a  charter  was  granted. 
and  Beta  Beta  Chapter  was  installed.  The  charter  members  were:  jentn'e 
McHatton  Barnett,  Lillian  Moore  Cottingham,  Bertha  Deniston  Cunning- 
ham, Helen  Dalrymple  Francis,  Laura  Adams  Henry,  Alta  M.  E-ogers,  Flor- 
ence Thompson  Taggart,  Ella  Hill  Thomson,  Edna  Patton  Wade,  Lena 
Scott  Wild,  and  Daisy  Steele  Wilson.  The  monthlv  meetings  have  been  held 
at  the  homes  of  the  members,  with  an  occasional  luncheon  in  Avre's  Tea-room 
or  the  Columbia  Club.  During  the  past  year  there  has  been  an  average  attend- 
ance of  fourteen.  At  each  meeting  the  opening  ceremonv  is  used,  followed 
by  the  regular  busines-s,  after  which  a  program  is  rendered.  The  meeting 
then  becomes  informal,  and  enjoys  a  social  hour  during  which  the  hostess 
serves  refreshments.  During  the  past  year — it  being  the  Centennial  year  of 
the  statehood  of  Indiana — they  have  been  studying  Indiana  musicians,  com- 
posers, and  musical  organizations.  Two  regular  social  affairs  are  held  each 
year — a  banquet,  the  fourth  f>iday  of  Fei)ruary,  the  anniversarv  of  the 
organization,  for  the  members  of  Alpha  Chapter,  at  the  Claypool  Hotel.  The 
second  is  a  picnic  in  Jime  at  the  country  home  of  Mrs.  Joseph  Taggart,  at 
whicli  time  the  husl)ands  and  children  are  entertained.  Some  vears  the  hus- 
bands are  entertained  at  an  evening  party.  In  point  of  attendance  the  last 
banquet,  February  25,  1916,  was  the  most  successful  ever  held.  The  entire 
Alpha  Chapter  was  present,  also  a  number  of  girls  came  from  over  the  state. 
There  were  ninety-three  present.  Beta  Beta  has  assisted  Alpha  in  a  number  of 
ways — in  buying  silver  and  dishes  :  also  in  helping  to  pay  for  their  jiiano.  They 
are  now  considering  plans  to  raise  money  for  the  chapter  house  fund.  Some  of 
the  members  have  alreadv  pledged  themselves  for  a  definite  amount.  The 
Grand  Council  was  entertained  by  Beta  Beta  in  October,  1907.  at  which  time  a 
reception  was  held  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  J.  R.  Francis.  Invitations  were 
extended  to  all  the  fraternity  women  in  the  city,  to  meet  the  members  of  the 
Grand  Council.     A   I'anhellenic  orLranization  was   formed  in  the  citv  in  the 


116  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

spring  of  1914.  Mrs.  Daisy  Steele  Wilson  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board. 
During  the  past  year  Mrs.  Maude  Meserve  Stoner  has  been  the  delegate  from 
Beta  Beta,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Advisory  Board.  In  1915,  plans  were 
completed  to  observe  Hera  Day  by  giving  a  recital  at  the  Girls'  Reformatory, 
in  Clearmont.  Indiana.  The  plans,  however,  were  not  carried  out  as  their 
much-loved  sister,  Sadie  Machlan  Kiger,  was  buried  on  that  day.  Hera  Day 
was  observed  March  1,  1916,  by  the  members  of  Beta  Beta  giving  a  recital 
before  the  Parent-Teachers  Association  of  School  Number  45.  The  program 
consisted  of  a  sketch  by  the  president,  Mrs.  Mary  Goss  Cannon,  stating  the 
significance  of  Hera  Day.  Many  of  the  members  of  Beta  Beta  are  active  in  the 
church,  artistic,  and  club  life  of  Indianapolis,  holding  the  highest  offices  in 
some  of  the  largest  and  most  prominent  clubs  ;  some  are  also  active  in  the  work 
of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution.  Beta  Beta  Chapter  has 
received  several  national  honors,  and  has  been  represented  at  five  national 
conventions. 

Gamma  Gamma  Chapter,  N eiv  York  City,  was  established  November  6, 
1907,  by  the  alumnae  of  New  York  City  through  the  influence  of  Fay  Barnaby 
Kent,  Delta,  and  Nella  Ramsdell  Fall,  Beta.  The  charter  members  were : 
Lillian  Dodson  Brown.  Emma  Crittenden,  Daisy  Snell  Echlin,  Sara  Evans, 
Nella  Ramsdell  Fall,  Jean  Whitcomb  Fenn,  Virginia  Fiske  Green,  Harriet 
McLaughlin  Gunnison.  Margaret  Kellog  Howard,  Violet  Truell  Johnston, 
Fay  Barnaby  Kent,  Olive  Porter,  Fern  Pickard  Stevens,  Alta  Moyer  Taylor. 
Average  membership  is  twenty.  The  chapter  meets  monthly.  It  is  usually 
a  social  meeting,  where  all  the  members  do  their  share  with  music,  and  so 
forth,  to  make  the  time  enjoyable.  As  altruistic  work,  the  members  gave  a 
concert  in  1910,  the  proceeds  of  which  was  used  for  the  Macdowell  Studio 
Fund.  Mrs.  Kent  was  the  first  to  propose  the  Macdowell  Studio  Fund,  and 
through  her  ambition  and  enthusiasm  inspired  the  chapters  to  assist  in  making 
the  studio  at  Peterborough  po.ssible.  Gamma  Gamma  has  always  had  an 
annual  banquet  for  husbands  and  friends,  and  usually  one  or  two  informal 
parties.  Until  1909  monthly  meetings  were  held  at  the  Martha  Washington 
Hotel.  Many  afternoons  are  enjoyed  at  the  homes  of  members.  Gamma 
Gamma  extended  her  hospitality  to  the  National  Council  in  meeting  assem- 
bled in  New  York,  in  the  summer  of  1911,  and  again  in  1914.  She  repre- 
sented the  Fraternity  as  hostesses  to  National  Panhellenic  Congress  in  1914, 
making  possible  what  many  considered  the  most  comfortable  and  enjoyable 
of  all  Congresses.  The  comfort  of  the  guests  was  largely  due  to  the  care 
shown  by  Gamma  Gamma  in  planning  for  the  Congress.  Mrs.  Fall  was 
chairman  of  the  local  arrangements  committee.  Several  members  of  Gamma 
Gamma  assisted  in  the  program  of  the  open  session  at  which  a  new  Pan- 
hellenic song,  written  by  Jess  Northcroft,  Zeta  and  Gamma  Gamma,  was 
sung. 


Alumn.e  Chapters  111 

Fraternity 

Tune — ''There's  a  Tavern  in  the  Town" 

Sisters  in  a  common  cause — common  cause 
United  by  the  highest  creed  and  laws ; 
We're  gathered  here  in  strength  and  unity 
We  meet  to  celebrate  Fraternity. 

Cooperation  is  the  plan — our  plan ! 

"To  reach  the  heights"  and  from  them  scan — to  scan 

The  world  at  large,  and  try  to  beautify 

All  thought  and  action  through  Fraternity. 

To  clasp  a  sister  by  her  hand — her  hand 

At  home,  or  in  some  foreign  land — foreign  land 

And  know  that  pressure  means  fidelity 

To  truth,  to  virtue,  and  Fraternity. 

To  raise  the  fallen,  cheer  the  faint — cheer  tlie  faint ; 
To  bravely  fight  without  complaint — 
Until  the  world  is  leavened  and  made  free 
By  the  spirit  of  Fraternity. 

Delta  Delta  Chapter,  Los  Angeles.  California.  Delta  Delta  Chapter  was 
chartered  in  Los  Angeles,  California.  September  25,  1908,  Louise  Davis 
Van  Cleve,  Epsilon.  and  Ja  Nette  Allen  Cushman.  Beta,  being  especially 
influential  in  bringing  about  its  organization.  All  interested  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  an  alumnae  chapter  were  asked  to  meet  in  the  committee  room 
of  the  Y.  W.  C.  A.  building.  This  number  consisted  of  members  from  chap- 
ters all  over  the  Union,  of  married  women  and  bachelor  maids,  of  school 
teachers  and  housekeepers.  Hence  to  establish  an  acquaintance  and  a  common 
interest  it  was  decided  to  begin  the  meetings  as  purely  social  gatherings.  The 
first  roll  included  the  following  names:  Louise  Davis  Van  Cleve,  Ja  Nette 
Allen  Cushman,  Ruth  Dunning  Young,  Leila  Skelton  Brown,  Glenna  Shantz 
Mills,  Myrtle  McArthur,  Faye  Buck,  Mabel  Chalfin,  Katherine  Saunders, 
Blanche  Gregg,  Louise  White,  Hazel  Hearne,  Mauneena  McMillan,  Marie 
Smith,  and  Carrie  Trowbridge.  Convenience  and  pleasure  soon  established 
the  second  Saturday  of  each  month  as  the  date  of  the  meetings.  These  soon 
formed  the  habit  of  beginning  with  a  luncheon,  sometimes  in  tea-rooms,  some- 
times at  the  chapter-hou.se  of  the  Epsilon  girls,  but  most  frequently  at  the 
homes  of  members,  who  were  the  hostesses  of  the  day.  The  formal  meeting 
followed.  The  ball  of  crochet,  the  embroidery  hoop,  the  tatting  needle, 
have  always  been  very  constant  attendants.  During  the  last  year.  1915-1916, 
a  most  delightful  part  of  the  meetings  has  been  the  program  given  by 
fraternity  talent,  often  supplied  by  Epsilon  Chapter.  The  earliest  out- 
side work  a  search  of  the  history  reveals  is  a  subscription  sent  to  the 
Macdowell    Studio.      Then   interest   tried   to   find    local   philanthropic   work. 


1.  John  Rundall  and  Virginia  Louise  Ralph  (son  and  daughter  of  Bess  Rundall  Ralph,  F)  ; 
2.  Amv  Lucille  Frost  (daughter  of  Amy  Lusk  Frost,  A);  3.  Harriet  Love  (daughter  of  ^Iaude 
Maxwell  Love,  A);  4.  Philip  Fall  Miller  (son  of  Florence  Fall  Miller,  B)  ;  5.  William  and  Mary 
Katherine  Kiger  (son  and  daughter  of  Sadie  Machlan  Kiger,  A);  6.  Helen  Weaver  (daughter  of 
Mabel  Johnston  Weaver,  A)  ;  7.  Patricia  Anne  Lang  (daughter  of  Margaret  McCullock  Lang)  ; 
8.  Charles  Alexander  Lister  (son  of  Queenie  Capps  Lister,  i)  ;  9.  Jane  Dru  Allen  (daughter  of 
Shellie  Smith  Allen);  10.  Bonnie  Jean  Hook  (daughter  Adeline  Litcomb  Hook,  P);  11.  James 
Wilne  Bryce  (son  of  Mrs.  Alexander  Bryce)  ;  12.  George  Walker  (son  of  Mae  Headly  W^alker)  : 
13.  Janet  and  Henry  Leonard  Miller  (son  and  daughter  of  Edith  Leonard  Miller,  0);  14.  Horace 
Wilbar  Walker  (son  of  Mae  Headly  Walker);  15.  Luann.e  Aileen  Kilgore  (daughter  of  Ann 
Heller  Kilgore,  K);  16.  Llizabeth  Ebright  (daughter  of  Marie  Moorehead  Ebright,  O)  ;  17.  .\nn 
Eliza  Withrow  (daughter  of  Beulah  Buckley  Withrow,  H)  ;  18.  Alice  Jean  Adams  (daugliter  of 
Alice  Mustard  Adams,  Z);  19.  Gretchen  Elizabeth  \"an  Roy  (daughter  of  Lina  Bell  Baum  \'an 
Roy,  B);  20.  Peggy  Cooper  (daughter  of  Electa  Lamb  Cooper,  9);  21.  Roman  Henham  Cone 
(son  of  Ethel  Ford  Cone.  D;  22.  Ruth  Gertrude  Prehn  (daughter  of  Gertrude  Magee  Prehn, 
K)  ;  23.  Willard  Watson  and  Elizabeth  Jane  Dixon  (son  and  daughter  of  Alice  Watson  Dixon,  V : 
24.  Mildred  M.  Shaw  (daughter  of  Josephine  JNloore  Shaw,  B);  25.  Suzanne;  26.  Heber  H. 
Dunkle  (son  of  Stella  MacFarlane  Dunkle,  Z)  ;  27.  Eleanor  and  Mary  Madson;  28.  Bob,  Betty, 
and  liillie  Wade  (children  of  Alma  Patten  Wade,  A);  29.  V\'illiam  and  Edwin  Haseltine  (sons 
of   Florence   Reed  Haseltine,   Z)  ;   30.    Hubert   McKee   Stearns   (son   of  Sue   Sivright   Stearns,   T). 


Alumx.k  Chapters  119 

Attempts  were  made  to  render  assistance  to  needy  families,  by  supply- 
ing food  and  clothin,^-.  In  1911.  interest  was  fixed  upim  the  Children's 
Hospital.  An  afternoon  tea  at  the  Log  Cabin  proved  successful  to  the 
extent  of  a  gift  of  ninety-two  dollars.  A  year  later,  a  musicale  and 
reception  at  the  Ebell  Clubhouse  enabled  the  purchase  of  a  set  of  X-ray 
instruments,  to  be  given  to  the  same  institution.  Another  year  endowed 
a  bed  in  the  name  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  at  the  expense  of  two  hundred 
fifty  dollars,  together  with  a  promise  of  a  gift  of  fifty  dollars  each 
year  following,  for  the  yearly  upkeep  of  that  bed.  ( )ne  of  fhe  most  enjoyable 
activities  has  always  been  the  annual  Christmas  shower  to  Epsilon  Chapter. 
Not  having  any  house  of  its  own  to  furnish,  the  chapter  takes  delight  in 
providing  somewhat  of  happines.s  to  the  younger  sisters.  Some  pressing  need 
or  unhoped  for  luxury  each  year  carries  its  love  to  Epsilon,  as  the  cedar  chest 
for  initiation  paraphernalia,  the  dining  table  and  lesser  articles  of  household 
comfort.  The  accompaniment  of  a  Christmas  tree  with  candles,  and  candy, 
and  songs  and  much  laughter,  and  babies,  makes  the  Christmas  party  an  affair 
to  be  looked  forward  to.  September  of  1914  saw  one  of  the  most  memor- 
able gatherings  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  Both  Delta  Delta  and  Epsilon, 
together  with  a  proud  array  of  honorary  guests,  were  invited  to  spend  the 
afternoon  and  evening  at  the  beautiful  home  of  Ellen  Beach  Yaw  at  Covina. 
An  afternoon  of  ambles  in  the  gardens,  of  visiting  and  chatter,  of  splendid 
delights  to  taste  and  see  made  the  guests  happy.  Then  a  perfect  day  gave 
place  to  a  most  beautiful  night  with  a  balmy  summer  moon.  In  a  setting 
of  orange  trees,  with  their  background  of  majestic  mountains,  in  the  singer's 
sunken  garden  of  an  amphitheatre,  members  of  the  two  chapters  presented 
a  little  allegorical  playlet  with  songs  and  dignified  meaning,  that  was  pro- 
nounced a  gem  of  a  performance.  To  Grace  Sheperd,  the  authoress,  belongs 
most  of  the  credit  for  this  successful  bit  of  acting.  When  this  was  finished, 
Miss  Yaw  herself  came  singing  from  the  midst  of  the  trees,  herself  the  god- 
dess of  the  groves,  the  nightingale  of  the  valley,  "Lark  Ellen,"  as  she  is  often 
called.  Into  the  stillness  of  the  silvery  moonlight  came  trilling  the  notes  of 
her  Cuckoo  Song,  her  Meadow  Lark,  and  lastly,  the  Mad  Scene  from  Hamlet. 
In  1915.  Delta  Delta  had  the  pleasure  of  assisting  Epsilon  as  hostess  to  the 
Convention  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  Plans  filled  the  minds  and  busied  the 
meetings  for  so  many  months  ahead,  it  seemed  there  was  nothing  to  do,  noth- 
ing to  meet  for,  when  the  guests  had  finally  come  and  gone,  when  the  busy 
days  of  the  glad  hand  and  happy  smile  were  done.  "I  can't  realize  that  Con- 
vention is  really  a  thing  of  the  past,"  was  on  many  a  tongue  for  some  time. 
If  realization  in  the  minds  of  the  guests  equalled  the  anticipation  of  the  anxious 
hostesses,  the  Convention  of  1915  performed  its  every  function  successfullv. 
In  March  of  1916,  Delta  Delta  was  accorded  the  pleasure  of  entertaining 
the  honorarv  members,  Mrs.  Macdowell  and  Ellen  Beach  Yaw.  at  the  home 
of  Rowena  Huscroft.  Mrs.  Macdowell  captured  all  hearts  with  the  charm 
of  her  personality,  the  warmth  of  her  smile,  and  hei  accessibility.  Her 
rendition  of  some  of  Macdowell's  famous  compositions  WcS  a  rare  treat.  Miss 
Yaw   favored  the  assemblatie  with   several   of  her   familiar  selections.      This 


120  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega  Fraternity 

much  of  the  history  reveals  concerning  the  local  interests  of  the  chapter.  The 
dealings  with  more  distant  chapters  is  yet  to  be  mentioned.  Delta  Delta 
assisted  at  the  installation  of  Pi  Chapter  in  1909,  sending  Carrie  Trowbridge 
and  Ann  Shepard  as  delegates.  Delta  Delta  sent  as  convention  delegates  in 
1912,  Olive  Berryman  ;  in  1915,  Leila  Skelton  Brown. 

Epsilon  Epsilon.  At  the  Convention  of  1908,  Ada  Dickie  Hamblen, 
Beta,  and  Frank  Busey  Soule,  Iota,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  organize 
an  alumnae  chapter  in  Detroit,  Michigan.  Accordingly  five  enthusiastic 
Alpha  Chis  met  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Hamblen  on  March  17,  1909.  On 
March  24,  1909,  twelve  met  at  the  "Copper  Kettle"  for  luncheon  and  signed 
a  petition  for  a  charter  for  the  Epsilon  Epsilon  Chapter.  The  charter  was 
signed  May  18,  1909,  and  Mrs.  Soule  served  as  the  first  president.  The 
Convention  of  1912  was  attended  by  Ora  Woodworth,  official  delegate,  and 
Mrs.  Mount.  The  Convention  of  1915  was  attended  by  Mrs.  Reese  Smith, 
in  the  capacity  of  official  delegate  ;  Ora  Woodworth,  as  official  stenographer  ; 
Grace  Culver  Roche  ;  and  Ruth  King.  The  charter  members  are :  Myrtle 
Wallace  Allen,  Ada  Dickie  Hamblen,  Grace  Lynn  Harner,  Florence  Wood- 
hams  Henning,  Mabel  Allen  Renwick,  Bessie  Tefft  Smith,  Frances  Dissette 
Tackels,  Florence  Hoag  White,  Etta  Mary  Tinker,  Frank  Busey  Soule, 
Winifred  Van  Buskirk  Mount,  and  Ora  Woodworth.  The  total  membership 
is  forty-four ;  the  present  membership  is  twenty-six.  The  meetings,  both 
social  and  business,  are  held  on  the  second  Saturday  of  each  month, 
excepting  July  and  August,  at  the  homes  of  the  various  members.  During 
last  year  a  plan  was  inaugurated  which  made  it  possible  for  members  to 
attend  more  regularly  than  otherwise  and  also  aroused  interest  because  it 
was  "something  different."  On  meeting  day  the  hostess  serves  a  one  o'clock 
luncheon,  Avhich,  according  to  previous  ruling,  must  be  simple.  After  the 
luncheon  a  business  meeting  is  followed  by  a  social  hour.  This  plan  has 
several  advantages :  if  some  are  not  able  to  give  up  the  entire  afternoon,  they 
can  very  easily  leave  at  the  end  of  the  business  meeting ;  the  hostess  can 
visit  with  her  sisters  without  having  to  think  of  serving  refreshments;  and 
all  can  leave  in  time  to  have  dinner  with  their  families.  Of  their  altruistic 
work,  Epsilon  Epsilon  says:  "Each  year  just  before  Christmas  we  forget 
to  be  sufficient  unto  ourselves  and,  in  fact,  quite  forgetting  to  be  interested 
in  each  other  think  about  those  who  are  less  fortunate  than  we.  We  usually 
delegate  a  committee  to  look  up  a  family  of  goodly  number,  and  supply  them 
with  warm  new  underwear."  This  chapter  assisted  Theta  in  the  entertain- 
ment of  the  national  convention  in  1910  at  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of 
the  Fraternity.     She  has  had  several  national  workers. 

Zeta  Zeta  Chapter.  Boston,  Massachusetts,  was  organized  as  an  alumnae 
chapter  at  Young's  Hotel,  Boston,  November  9,  1909.  Through  the  efforts  of 
Estelle  McFarlane  Dunkle  and  Evangeline  Bridge,  both  of  Zeta,  a  sufficient 
number  of  alumnae  were  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  and  the  charter  was 
granted  by  the  Grand  Council  in  the  spring  of  1909.    On  November  9,  1909,  a 


1.  Warren  Clayton  Cook  (son  of  Kva  Clayton  Cook,  O) ;  2.  Honald  Case  and  Dorothy 
Elizabeth  Gaylord;  3.  Charles  Richard  Forman  (son  of  lilanche  Collins  Forinan,  I) ;  4.  Sammy 
and  Alvin  Gillette  (sons  of  Mary  Dickie  Gillette,  B)  ;  5.  David  Kellcy  (son  of  Leone  Lane  Kclley, 
n)  ;  6.  John  (jilbert  Archibald  (son  of  Carrie  Aiton  Archibald,  Z)  :  7.  Margaret  Holder 
(daughter  of  Margaret  Brown  Holder,  T)  :  8.  Philip  Fall  Miller  (son  of  Florence  Fall  Miller,  B)  ; 
9.  Desiree  Inez  Clarv  (daughter  of  Hazel  Godard  Clary,  1):  10.  Myron  Park  Breckenridge  (son 
of  Edith  Dermit  Breckenridge,  A);  11.  James  M.,  and  .\lec  M.  Bryce  (sons  of  G.  N.  Bryce,  P)  ; 
12.  William,  Barron,  and  John  (sons  of  Lyda  Hammond  McCune,  A);  13.  Bobby  and  Betty  Ewing 
(children  of  Irma  Franklin  Ewing,  S)  ;  14.  John  and  Bradley  Sheperd  (children  of  Edith  Bradley 
Sheperd,  iB)  ;  15.  Richard  Beck  Bell  (son  of  Helen  Beck  Bell,  K) ;  16.  Jane  Drake  (daughter  of 
Kate  Calkins  Drake,  B):  17.  Jane  .Shumway  (daughter  of  r.eulah  Kinzer  Shumway,  O);  18.  Antin 
Oscar  Wolfe,  A;  19.  \'irginia  -Sigendale  (daughter  of  .Myrtle  .'Sheldon  Sigendale,  A);  JO.  Helnur 
Ward  Jones  (son  of  Selma  Swenson  Jones,  .\);  Jl.  Daughter  of  Mrs.  Thomas  Cole:  22.  Ruth 
Elizabeth  Langdon  (daughter  of  Imo  Toms  Langdon.  .\ )  ;  23.  Arthur  Crafts  Kaiser  (son  of 
Blanche  Crafts  Kaiser,  Z)  ;  24.  Baxter  and  Jean  Reynolds  (son  and  daughter  of  Jessie  Merchant 
Reynolds,  A);  25.  Lorinda  Katherine  Cottingham  (daughter  of  Lillian  Moore  Cottingham,  A); 
26.  James  M.  Bryce;  27.  Mary  and  James  (;)gden  (daughter  and  son  of  Bess  Dean  Ogden) ; 
28.  Rachelle  ^Marie  Pinkham  (daughter  of  Dorothv  lUirdorf  Pinkham,  II):  2').  Maby  Billings  (son 
of  Ellen  Conrey  Billings,  M)  :  30.  Edward  and  Franklin  Mayer  (sons  of  Helen  Eleanor  Mayer,  K)  ; 
31.  Bettv  O.  Menlev  (daugliter  of  Bettv  Tones  Henlcv,  A):  32.  Caroline  Norbcth  Boyd  (daughter 
of  Caroline  Parsons  Boyd,  A);  33.  Natalie  Jean  Neff;  34.  Grace  Elizabeth  and  Achsah  Gay 
Collins    (children   of   Theodosia   Maltbie   Collins,   P)  :     35.      Bobby   and   Betty    Ewing. 


122  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

business  meeting  and  luncheon  were  held  in  Young's  Hotel,  and  the  charter 
was  signed.  The  charter  members  were:  Estelle  McFarlane  Dunkle,  Evan- 
geline Bridge,  Sarah  D.  Morton,  Gladys  Livingston  (Jlmstead,  Blanche  Ripley, 
all  of  Zeta,  and  May  Allinson.  Iota  and  Gamma  Gamma.  The  total  member- 
ship is  twenty-three,  and  the  average  annual  membership  eight.  The  chapter 
is  in  close  touch  with  Zeta  Chapter  which  she  assists  socially  and  financially. 
The  altruistic  work  for  the  period  during  the  war  has  been  some  phase  of 
war-relief.  A  French  orphan  has  been  adopted  by  the  chapter,  another 
by  Mrs.  Graff,  and  two  by  Zeta.  Zeta  Zeta  has  provided  the  Fraternity  with 
the  annual  calendar  of  1915  and  1916  for  the  benefit  of  an  Atlantic  Conven- 
tion Fund. 

Eta  Eta  Chapter.  Madison,  Wisconsin.  Eta  Eta,  the  seventh  alumnae 
chapter,  was  organized  on  Friday,  June  16,  1911.  The  installation  was  held 
at  the  Kappa  chapter  house  at  430  Sterling  Court.  Mrs.  Dennis,  the 
national  inspector,  presented  the  charter.  A  business  meeting  was  held,  at 
which  the  duties  and  advantages  of  alumnae  chapters  were  outlined  by  Mrs. 
Dennis.  Conmiittees  were  appointed.  After  the  business  meeting,  the 
installation  banquet  was  held  at  which  letters  of  greeting  and  welcome  were 
read.  The  charter  of  Eta  Eta  was  signed  by  Alice  Alford,  Hazel  Alford, 
Margaret  H'Doubler,  Helen  Jennings,  Lucille  Simon,  Sarah  Morgan 
(Mrs.  W.  T.  Bell),  Sarah  Sutherland,  Mae  Theobald,  and  Edna  Swenson 
(Mrs.  F.  Mayer),  all  of  Kappa,  and  Florence  Kelley  (Mrs.  1).  D.  Basker- 
ville)  of  Gamma,  and  Liger  Hoen  Emery  (Mrs.  S.  L. )  of  Nu.  It  was 
planned  to  hold  all  meetings  at  the  homes  of  the  Eta  Eta  members  on 
the  first  Monday  evening  of  each  month.  Plans  were  made  for  the  study 
of  the  constitution  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  at  Madison,  and  of 
other  universities  where  there  are  Alpha  Chi  chapters,  for  some  social 
service  work,  and  for  helping  Kappa  with  domestic  matters  and  in 
rushing.  After  Eta  Eta  was  organized  on  June  16,  1911,  the  members 
began  the  study  of  some  prominent  musicians  and  grand  operas.  But  by 
the  spring  of  1912,  their  time  was  entirely  taken  over  in  preparation  for 
the  Convention  which  was  held  in  Madison  during  June.  In  1912-1913, 
the  musical  programs  were  given  once  a  month  continuing  the  study  of 
grand  operas.  There  were  also  several  joint  meetijigs  with  Kappa  Chapter. 
During  1913-1914,  the  chapter  drifted  away  from  the  musical  programs  but 
took  up  altruistic  work  instead  and  made  plans  for  a  hospital  box  on  each 
Hera  Day.  In  1914-1915,  the  Reserve  Fund  was  uppermost  in  all  minds 
and  Eta  Eta  devised  dift'erent  ways  and  means  to  help  raise  money.  This 
last  year  they  continued  the  money-raising  to  help  Kappa  with  their  new 
chapter  house,  in  which  all  are  greatly  interested.  Eta  Eta  has  a  total 
membership  of  thirty.  In  1915-1916  the  time  of  meetings  was  changed  to 
Saturday  afternoon  so  that  they  could  be  held  at  the  Kappa  chapter  house. 

Theta  Th^ta  Chapter,  Berkeley,  California.     During  the  fall  of  1912,  the 
desirability  of  forming  an  alumnae  chapter  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  was  felt 


Ai.UMN.ii  Chapters  123 

by  the  girls  who  had  graduated  from  Pi  Chapter,  and  who  seldom  had  a 
chance  for  reunion.  Mrs.  \amu[  and  .Miss  Ikidge  helped  to  furnish  the  neces- 
sary material.  Finally  on  June  11,  1913.  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  Pi  chapter 
house,  Theta  Theta  Chapter  was  duly  installed  by  Mrs.  Virginia  Fiske  (ireen, 
who  came  from  Theta  and  Caninia  (^amma  Chapters.  The  first  officers 
were  as  follows:  Miss  Rue  Clifford,  President;  Mrs.  McKay,  Vice-president; 
Miss  Lottie  Bocarde,  Recording  Secretary;  Mrs.  Wni.  Kelley,  Corresponding 
Secretary;  Mrs.  S.  J.  Vogel,  Treasurer;  Mrs.  L.  W.  Laj'ne,  Historian;  Miss 
Elizabeth  Wolfe,  Lyre  Editor.  Since  that  time  the  chapter  has  grown 
steadily  and  has  passed  three  very  successful  years.  The  monthly  reunions 
are  held  at  the  houses  of  the  members  ;  sometimes  they  do  charity  work,  discuss 
the  National  Panhellenic  ciuestions,  plav  cards  or  sew.  This  year  they  have 
been  delegated  the  duty  of  furnishing  the  eciuipment  for  installation  of 
chapters.  The  membership  of  the  chapter  is  drawn  largely  from  Pi  Chapter, 
though  members  from  other  chapters  are  most  welcome.  The  meetings 
average  fifteen  in  attendance. 

Iota  Iota  Chapter,  Seaft/e.  Washington.  Iota  Iota  Chapter  was  installed 
in  Seattle,  Washington,  March  8,  1913,  by  Ada  Dickie  Hamblen,  Beta,  .she 
being  especially  influential  in  bringing  about  its  organization.  On  the  after- 
noon following  its  organization,  thirteen  loyal  altimnaj  met  at  the  home  of 
Gertrude  Niedergesaess  Bryce,  and  gave  a  banquet  in  honor  of  the  founding 
of  the  chapter,  after  which  a  short  business  meeting  was  held,  and  officers 
were  elected  for  the  year.  The  charter  members  of  Iota  Iota  were:  Mrs. 
Frederick  Adams  (Alice  Mustard),  Zeta ;  Gertrude  Babcock.  Beta;  Mrs. 
Henry  Brown  (Ethel  Lilyblade).  Gamma;  Mrs.  Alexander  Bryce  (Gertrude 
Niedergesaess),  Rho ;  Mrs.  Thomas  Cole  (Jennie  E.  Rogers),  Rho ;  Mrs. 
Robert  E.  Evans  (Leora  Fryette),  Kappa;  Mrs.  Charles  Fenn  (Jean  Wliit- 
comb).  Beta;  Mrs.  Edgar  Fischer  (Alice  Reynolds),  Theta;  Z.  Ray  Galla- 
gher, Gamma;  Mrs.  Cornelius  Hamblen  (Ada  Dickie),  Beta;  Marjorie 
Harkins,  Rho;  Mrs.  Hickcox  (Louise  Stone).  Zeta;  Frances  Edith  Hindman, 
Rho;  Mrs.  James  McCafferty  (Nellie  Allen),  Alpha;  Mrs.  Wentworth  Rogers 
(Vera  Anne  Cogswell),  Rho:  Mrs.  George  Starr  (Gretchen  O'Don- 
nell),  Rho.  The  meetings  are  held  on  the  last  Saturday  afternoon 
of  each  month,  at  the  homes  of  the  different  members.  Part  of  each  after- 
noon is  devoted  to  business,  and  the  remainder  given  over  to  a  program 
of  social  nature.  Several  national  fraternity  honors  have  been  awarded  to 
the  chapter.  The  chapter  has  done  many  good  deetls  for  the  Fraternity. 
On  January  24,  1914,  Iota  Iota  pre^^ented  Rho  with  an  oak  chair,  and  on 
the  same  day  pledged  twenty-five  dollars  to  the  National  Reserve  Fund. 
In  June  of  the  same  year  a  recital  to  be  given  by  Jean  Whitcomb  Fenn  and 
Alice  Mustard  Adams  for  the  benefit  of  the  National  Reserve  Fund  was 
planned.  A  scholarship  cup  for  Rho  was  arranged  for  in  Octolier  of  1914. 
The  following  month  Frances  Waldo  entertained  the  chapter  with  a  demon- 
stration of  Dunning's  Method  of  Music.  On  Hera  Day,  1915.  a  musical 
program  was  given  at  the  Kenny  Home  for  Old   Ladies.     The  Scholarship 


124  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Trophy  was  awarded  to  the  class  of  1915  on  October  2  of  that  year.  In 
November  ten  dollars  was  pledged  to  the  National  Reserve  Fund.  It  was 
planned  in  February,  1916,  to  send  a  report  of  each  chapter  meeting  to 
non-resident  members.  In  the  spring  of  1916,  five  dollars  was  sent  to  the 
Scholarship  Fund  of  the  alumnae  association  of  the  University  of  Washing- 
ton, and  plans  for  a  bazaar  to  be  given  for  the  benefit  of  the  active  chapter 
fund  were  discussed. 

Lambda  Lambda.  Grand  Rapids,  Michigaji.  During  the  Christmas  holi- 
days of  1912,  all  Alpha  Chi  Omegas  known  to  be  living  in  Grand  Rapids 
were  invited  to  meet  at  the  home  of  Millie  E.  Fox.  Plans  were  then  made 
for  regular  meetings  during  the  year.  A  petition  for  an  alumnae  chapter  was 
sent  to  the  National  Council  and  granted.  On  February  7,  1912,  Lambda 
Lambda  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  installed  at  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  by 
Mrs.  Nella  Ramsdell  Fall,  Yonkers,  New  York,  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Ruth 
Birge  Byers,  the  charter  members  being:  Millie  E.  Fox,  Beta;  Mary  Hyde, 
Theta  ;  Ruth  Birge  Byers,  Gamma;  Enid  Holmes  ElHs,  Theta  ;  Ida  Billing- 
hurst  Hume,  Beta;  Josephine  Moore  Shaw,  Beta;  Pearl  Frambes  Shedd, 
Beta;  Mame  Hale  Ward,  Theta;  Myrtle  Watson,  Beta;  Hellen  Hilliker, 
Theta;  Lulu  Fairbanks,  Beta;  and  Lillian  Elliott,  Beta.  A  banquet  was 
served  in  the  evening  at  the  Morton  House  to  which  husbands  and  friends 
were  invited.  Out-of-town  Alpha  Chis  present  were:  Mrs.  Nella  Ramsdell 
Fall  of  Yonkers.  New  York;  Mildred  A.  Moore  of  Rockford,  Illinois; 
Lucile  Schenck  of  Clinton,  Michigan.  The  chapter  now  numbers  thirteen 
members,  and  has  been  represented  at  one  national  convention. 

Mti  Mil,  Kansas  City.  Missouri.     The  Kansas  City  Star  of  September  20, 

1914,  stated  that  "Mu  Mu  Alumni  Chapter  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  installed 
by  Miss  Lillian  Zimmerman,  National  Treasurer,  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega, 
September  19,  at  the  home  of  Miss  Frances  Gould,  2809  Charlotte  Street. 
The  officers  are :  President,  Miss  Clara  Chesney ;  Vice-president.  Mrs.  Spence 
Apple;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Mrs.  J.  W.  Colley;  Historian,  Mrs.  Alex- 
ander Haggart;  Lvrr  Editor.  Miss  Frances  Gould;  Warden,  Miss  May 
Jaggard.'.'  The  installation  was  performed  with  impressive  dignity  and  the 
charter  received  with  much  pride  by  the  fifteen  charter  members.  Numerous 
congratulatory  letters  frOm  the  other  chapters  were  read,  and  arrangements 
made  for  holding  one  meeting  each  month,  on  the  first  Saturday  afternoon  of 
each  month.  Mu  Mu  has  held  nineteen  regular  business  meetings  from  the 
time  of  her  organization  up  to  the  present  writing,  besides  several  social  affairs, 
the  first  of  which  was  a  New  Year's  party  for  the  active  Alpha  Chis  and 
alumnae  in  Kansas  City  during  the  holidays.  Miss  May  Jaggard  was  the 
hostess  for  this  first  party.  A  social  affair  of  March  6,  1915,  was  a  mis- 
cellaneous shower  for  the  president.  Miss  Clara  Chesney.     On  December  31, 

1915,  Mu  Mu  entertained  Marion  Reid,  Frieda  Kornbrodt,  Rosa  Kornbrodt, 
Alice  Warnock.  Mary  Bovard,  and  Mildred  Jaggard  at  a  Christmas  Party 
at  the  home  of  Mrs.  S.  B.  Apple.     A  formal  spring  party  was  given  at  the 


Ai.uMX.€  Chapters  125 

home  of  Mrs.  J.  W.  Colley,  at  which  time  the  liusbands  and  friends  of  the 
members  were  the  guests.  At  the  time  of  installation,  Mrs.  Alexander 
Haggart,  Ottawa,  Kansas,  was  serving  on  the  standing  committee  on  "Publica- 
tions." During  her  two  years  of  e.xistence,  Miss  Louise  Che.sney  has  served 
as  instructor  on  the  faculty  of  Jennings  Seminary  of  Illinois.  The  biggest 
honor  that  has  come  to  the  chapter  has  been  the  presidency  of  the  Kansas 
City  Panhellenic  Association,  an  oifice  which  is  being  filled  with  merit  by 
Mrs.  Fred  Hoover. 


CHAPTER  X 

ALUMNA  CLUBS 

The  alumnte  club  is  a  ])0])ular  form  of  organization.  There  are  twenty- 
three  clubs  at  present,  some  of  which  have  done  splendid  work  along  all  lines, 
and  have  accomplished  as  much  for  the  Fraternity  as  the  alumnte  chapters. 
The  alumna?  club  is  particularly  valuable  in  college  towns  where  the  under- 
graduates desire  the  unified  support  and  association  of  their  alumnae  sisters. 
Except  for  the  smaller  dues,  and  the  lack  of  a  paid  convention  delegate,  the 
requirements  of  the  club  are  as  numerous  as  those  of  alumnae  chapters. 
Another  difference  is  that  a  charter  for  an  alumnae  club  requires  but  six 
signatures,  while  that  of  an  alumnae  chapter  requires  tw^elve.  The  national 
work  for  clubs,  like  that  for  alumnae  chapters,  are  the  Reserve  Fund  and  the 
National  Scholarship  Fund.  After  one  year's  successful  existence  as  a  club, 
a  group  may  petition  for  an  alumnae  chapter  provided  the  numbers  are  suffi- 
ciently large.  Below  is  the  roll  of  alumnae  clubs  with  their  date  of  organiza- 
tion : 

1.  Decatur,  September,  1914. 

2.  Cleveland,  Ohio,  April  24,  1914. 

3.  Eastern  Oklahoma,  November  28,   1914. 

4.  St.  Louis,   Mo.,  May,   1914. 

5.  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  October,  1914. 

6.  Albion,  Mich.,  May,   1914. 

7.  Omaha,  Neb.,  May  5,  1915. 

8.  Milwaukee,  Wis.,   Fall  of   1914. 

9.  Meadville,  Pa.,  April  5,   1915. 

10.  Ann  Arbor,   Mich.,  January,    1915. 

11.  Portland,  Ore.,  April  15,   1915. 

12.  Washington,  D.  C,  April  27,  1915. 

13.  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  November  13,  1915. 

14.  Greensburgh,  Ind.,  November  13.  1915. 

15.  Oil  City,  Pa.,  November  20,  1915. 

16.  Atlanta,  Ga.,  November  23,  1915. 

17.  Boulder,  Colo.,  December  7,  1915. 

18.  Pueblo,  Colo.,  December  28,  1916. 

19.  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  November  29,  1915. 

20.  Galesburg,  111..  March  14,  1916. 

21.  Greencastle,  Ind..  January  22,  1916. 

22.  Denver,  Colo.,  July  29,   1916. 

23.  Twin  Cities,  November  1.  1916. 

Cleveland  Aliiiuncr  Club.  Cleveland .  Ohio.  Due  to  the  efforts  and  the 
enthusiasm  of  Mrs.  Ruth  Harlow-Osborne.  Lambda,  the  Cleveland  Alumnae 
Club  was  formally  organized  May  2  7.  1914.  There  had  been  two  meetings 
previously.     The  first  was  a  luncheon  at  a  downtown  tea-room  and  the  next 


Al.lMN.E    Cl.UBS  127 

with  Mrs.  Ray  M.  Colwcll.  TIk'  charter  members  were:  Julia  Fiiich- 
Colwell,  Alpha;  Beatrice  Breckenridge-Cushman,  Beta;  Hazel  Leach-dalli- 
more,  Alpha;  Mabel  Dunu-Madson,  (iamnia  ;  Ruth  Harlow-Osborne, 
Lambda;  Dorothy  Price,  (iamma;  Mabel  McHane-Schaffner.  Delta.  The 
club  holds  a  meeting  on  tlie  second  Friday  of  each  month  at  the  iiomes  of  the 
different  members.  These  meetings  consist  of  a  business  session,  a  pro- 
gram, furnished  by  some  one  member,  followed  by  a  .social  hour.  During  the 
summers  the  meetings  take  the  form  of  porch  parties  and  picnics  at  someone's 
summer  home.  The  Cleveland  Panhellenic  was  organized  in  the  spring  of 
1914.  It  now  holds  two  meetings  a  year  at  a  hotel  or  tea-room.  This  organi- 
zation is  raising  money  for  a  scholarship  fund  to  .send  a  girl  through  Western 
Reserve  College.  It  is  doing  this  by  giving  afternoon  entertainments  and 
teas  and  cliarging  a  small  fee.  Mrs.  Norma  Harrison-Thrower,  Alpha  Chi 
Omega,  is  chairman  of  this  committee.  Mrs.  Mabel  Dunn-Madson  ga\-e  one 
of  the  programs.     The  Cleveland  Alumiia*  Club  has  eleven  members. 

Easfern  Oklahoma  AhimncB  Club.  In  May,  1914.  four  loyal  Alpha  Chis 
met  at  the  home  of  Jessie  Richmond  Shipley  in  Haskell.  Three  of  them  had 
never  met  before,  since  they  all  lived  in  different  towns.  It  was  decided  at 
this  first  meeting  to  come  together  twice  a  vear  in  Muskogee.  ( )n  November 
28.  1914.  occurred  the  first  luncheon  and  election  of  ollicers.  Kl  Fleda  Cole- 
man Jackson.  Gamma,  was  elected  president,  Lucy  Andrews  Odell.  Alpha, 
vice-president.  Gladys  Meserve  Ranney.  Iota,  secretary,  and  Eula  R.  .Smith. 
Omicron.  treasurer.  At  present  the  club  has  eleven  members,  and  although 
they  see  each  other  l)ut  seldom,  it  is  an  inspiration  for  them  to  renew  active 
chapter  days  and  to  learn  of  the  doings  of  the  Fraternity  at  large.  In  March. 
1916.  a  Panhellenic  was  organized  in  Muskogee.  The  organizer  and  presi- 
dent is  Mrs.  Jackson.  The  club  hopes  to  be  able  to  hold  its  meetings  on  the 
day  of  the  Panhellenic  luncheons,  thus  meeting  the  sorority  women  of  the 
eastern  part  of  the  state. 

Des  Moines  Alumnce  Club,  Dcs  Moines".  lou-a.  It  was  during  June.  1914, 
when  several  Des  Moines  alumna*  of  Mu  Chapter  were  entertaining  at  an 
all-day  picnic  at  Des  Moines  Golf  and  Tennis  Club,  in  honor  of  the  alumUcT 
and  active  members  of  Mu,  that  the  idea  was  conceived  of  having  a  permanent 
alumnae  organization  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  Des  Moines.  During  the  sum- 
mer plans  were  made  and  committees  appointed.  In  October.  1914.  the 
Des  Moines  Alumnae  Club  had  its  first  meeting.  Rather  an  elaborate  schedule 
was  made  for  the  vears  1914-1915  of  business  and  social  meetings,  including 
one  affair  to  which  other  fraternity  women  in  the  city  were  to  be  invited. 
Committees  were  at  work  during  the  entire  year  to  enlarge  the  membership, 
the  goal  being  to  include  as  many  fraternity  sisters  of  Iowa  as  possible.  The 
charter  members  numbered  thirteen,  including:  Mrs.  B.  F.  Clayton.  Mu. 
Indianola ;  Mrs.  Grant  Kimer.  Mu.  Indianola ;  Miss  Nelle  Harris.  Mu. 
Indianola ;  Mrs.  R.  G.  Harrison,  Mu.  Des  Moines;  Mrs.  K.  (i.  Carney, 
Alpha,   Des  Moines:    Miss  Besse   Patrick.   Gamma.   Dcs   Moines;    Mrs.    John 


128  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Merrill  Dudley,  IMu,  Des  Moines;  Miss  Berdena  Hughes,  Mu,  Fairfield; 
Miss  Florence  A.  Armstrong,  Mu,  Indianola;  Mrs.  Leonard  Smith,  Mu, 
Ida  Grove ;  Mrs.  Fred  Barker,  Mu,  Jefiferson ;  Miss  Georgia  Watson,  Mu, 
Indianola;  Mrs.  Lloyd  Humphrey,  Mu,  Des  Moines.  Many  members  of 
other  chapters  signified  willingness  to  attend  whenever  possible.  Notification 
of  the  time  of  meeting  was  sent  henceforth  to  about  thirty  sisters.  The  meet- 
ings were  held  monthly  from  October,  1914,  to  May,  1915.  Some  charity  work 
was  done  in  the  city ;  and  a  pledge  was  sent  to  the  Reserve  fund.  Grace 
Howe,  Kappa,  who  was  instructor  in  Domestic  Science  in  the  city  high  school, 
and  Mildred  Talmage,  tiamma,  who  attended  Drake  University  1914-1915, 
were  among  the  regular  attendants.  The  season  1914-1915  was  very  success- 
fully planned  and  carried  out,  the  members  being  brought  closely  together  in 
fraternity  work  and  also  in  a  social  way.  It  is  with  renewed  interest  and 
enthusiasm  that  the  Club  begins  this  year,  1916-1917.  There  are  nine  resi- 
dent members. 

Omaha  Alumna'  Club.  Omaha.  Nebraska,  was  established  in  1915  as  a 
social  and  philanthropic  organization.  The  first  Saturday  of  every  month  was 
chosen  as  the  day  for  regular  meetings.  The  first  meetings  were  held  at  the 
homes  of  members,  where  plans  were  discussed  for  the  establishment  of  a 
strong  organization.  In  January  a  noon  luncheon  was  given  at  one  of  the 
popular  hotels.  A  matinee  party  followed.  Regular  meetings  were  held 
the  rest  of  the  year  at  the  University  Club.  No  real  work  has  been  attempted 
yet,  but  the  friendships  formed  and  problems  worked  out  have  proved  helpful 
to  the  members.  Mrs.  Bess  Rundall  Ralph,  Gamma,  is  president ;  Mrs.  Dale 
Pugh  Hascall,  Xi,  is  now  Western  Province  president,  and  through  her 
Omaha  Club  is  kept  in  touch  with  other  chapters.  The  present  membership 
is  sixteen. 

Milwaukee  Alumna;  Club,  Milwaukee,  IVis.  For  a  number  of  years  the 
Milwaukee  alumnae  met  regularly  at  picnics  and  weekly  bridge-parties,  but  they 
were  not  an  organized  club.  In  Sq^tember  of  1915,  seven  Alpha  Chis  met  at 
the  home  of  Lillian  Zimmerman,  Kappa,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  and 
applying  for  a  club  charter.  The  charter  members  were :  Lillian  Zimmer- 
man, Kappa;  Meta  and  Ann  Kieckhefer,  Kappa;  Ella  Shirk  Harris,  Beta; 
Marie  Tolleson  Frey,  Kappa ;  Leah  Deutsch  Grell,  Kappa ;  Edna  Swenson 
Mayer,  Kappa;  Vivien  Verbeck  Simmons,  Kappa;  Else  Landeck  Adler, 
Kappa.  It  was  decided  that  the  Club  should  meet  the  second  and  fourth 
Fridays  of  every  month,  and,  not  thinking  it  necessary  to  have  the  customary 
number  of  officers,  only  a  Secretary-Treasurer  was  elected.  Meta  Kieckhefer, 
Kappa,  was  chosen  for  this  combined  office.  During  that  year  the  members 
met  as  a  Bridge  Club  and  nothing  of  importance  was  done.  In  the  fall  of 
1916,  they  again  started  out  as  a  Bridge  Club,  but  soon  decided  to  do  some 
fraternity  work.  At  our  first  business  meeting  the  following  officers  were 
elected :  president,  Ann  Kieckhefer.  Kappa ;  vice-president,  Ella  Shirk 
Harris,  Beta  ;   secretary-treasurer,  Consuelo  Lasche,  Kappa  ;   and  Lyre  editor, 


Alumn.e  Clubs  129 

Ethel  Wait,  Gamma.  Later  Betty  Ellenberger  Griffin,  Lambda,  was  appointed 
as  Lyre  editor.  On  November  27,  1916,  we  gave  our  first  annual  luncheon 
in  the  Colonial  Room  at  the  Hotel  Wisconsin.  After  an  auto  ride  whicli 
followed  the  luncheon  Meta,  Ann,  and  Hilda  Kieckhefer  entertained  the 
visiting  Alpha  Chis  at  their  home  at  tea,  the  assisting  party  being  the  resident 
Alpha  Chis.  Thirty-seven  Alpha  Chis  from  all  parts  of  the  state  attended 
tlie  lunclieon.  For  Hera  Day  work  the  Club  made  scrapijooks  for  the  Mil- 
waukee Children's  Free  Hospital.  In  March.  V)\(^.  they  began  to  have  meet- 
ings at  monthly  luncheons  down  town  in  one  of  the  grillrooms.  Then  came 
the  news  of  Kappa's  new  house  and  the  Alumna?  Club  decided  to  furnish  a 
Milwaukee  Alumnae  Room,  so  that  they  might  have  a  place  of  their  own 
when  they  visited  Kappa.  A  plate  above  the  door  will  be  engraved  with  the 
Club's  name.  A  pledge  was  made  at  this  time,  also,  to  work  for  the  Alpha  Chi 
Scholarship  Fund.     The  Club  has  enrolled  fourteen  members. 

Meadzille  Alumnce  Club,  Mcaik'illc.  Pa.,  was  informallv  organized  at  the 
home  of  Miss  Anna  Ray  on  March  8,  1915.  A  month  later  the  petition  for 
recognition  as  the  Meadville  Alumme  Club  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  signed 
by  Anna  C.  Ray,  Ruby  Marsh  Eldred,  Arline  Winslow  Lane,  Rebie  Flood 
Irwin,  Florence  Irene  Moore,  Ethel  Moore  Miller,  Mary  Thorpe  Graham, 
Blanche  Garver  Davenport,  Mary  Gibson  Brock,  (iertrude  Sackett  Laffer, 
Florence  E.  Harper.  The  first  official  meeting  was  at  Anna  Ray's,  May  3, 
1915.  The  same  month  the  Club  entertained  Delta  at  the  home  of  Mrs. 
Manley  O.  Brown — one  of  Delta's  charter  members.  In  June  the  Club  met  at 
Mrs.  Mary  G.  Brock's,  where  Allegheny's  Centennial  provided  the  paramount 
topic  of  conversation.  A  glorious  reunion  followed  on  July  10  at  Mrs.  Ruby 
M.  Eldred's  home.  Mrs.  Louise  Lord  Cappeau  of  Cincinnati,  Miss  Mary 
Lord  of  Denver,  Mrs.  Clara  L.  Study  of  Neodesha,  Kansas,  Mrs.  Mary  R. 
Philp  of  Oil  Citv,  and  Mrs.  Harriet  Veith  Robson  of  Ann  Arbor,  were 
present  as  visitors  of  the  Club.  On  July  22,  1915,  a  six  o'clock  dinner  was 
given  at  the  Country  Club  in  honor  of  out-of-town  sisters.  The  Club  enter- 
tained, also,  in  honor  of  Mrs.  Fall,  National  Inspector,  on  May  5,  1916,  and 
took  the  opportunity  to  .show  hospitality  to  Delta  at  the  same  time.  The  total 
membership  is  twenty-four  :  the  present  membership,  nine. 

Oil  City  .'lliiiniuc  Club.  Titus^-illc.  Pa.,  was  organized  in  November. 
1915,  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Robert  Philp.  'J'he  following  officers  were 
elected :  Mrs.  Philp,  president ;  Mary  Green,  vice-president ;  Rose  Piatt, 
secretary,  and  Celia  McClure,  editor.  The  club  includes  all  Delta  alumna^ 
living  in  Oil  City,  Franklin,  Titusville.  Rouseville.  The  meetings  are  held 
every  third  Saturday.  Because  of  its  short  existence  the  club  has  done  very 
little  except  to  keep  in  touch  with  the  active  chapter  at  Meadville,  and  to 
give  assistance  whenever  needed.     There  are  at  present  eleven  members. 

The  Oregon  Alumna'  Club.  Portland.  Orry^on.  was  organized  in  April, 
1915.     Just  before  the  installation  of  Chi  Chapter.   Mrs.   Loud  made  a  visit 


1.  John  Carey  Percival  (son  of  Rowena  Hall  Percival,  E)  ;  2.  Dorothy  Shedd  (daughter  of 
Pearl  Frankes  Shedd,  S)  ;  3.  John  Charles  Alexander  (son  of  Helen  Boggs  Alexander,  S) ; 
4.  Ruth  Frances  Billings  and  Felix  ]\Ioore,  Jr.:  5.  Marion,  Estelle,  Jean,  Plum,  and  Airs.  McGill 
(daughters  of  Jean  Robson  McGill,  A);  6.  Mary  Louise  and  Helen  Shaw  Walraven  (daughters 
of  Mabelle  Leffingwell  Walraven,  A)  ;  7.  Lorimer  Brown  (son  of  Antoinette  Snyder  Brown,  A) ; 
8.  Donald  Jones;  9.  Elizabeth  Rush  (daughter  of  Marie  Wood  Rush,  A);  10.  Bernice  Quinn 
Garrett  (daughter  of  Bernice  Quinn  Garrett.  I);  11.  John  Bvers  (son  of  Ruth  Birge  Bvers,  F)  ; 
12.  Ted  Brainerd  (son  of  Marie  Bateman  Brainerd,  2)  ;  "l3.  Daughters  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  C.  C.  Tiffin; 
14.  Aiarcella  Rogers  Cole  (daughter  of  Airs.  Cole,  P)  :  15.  Son  and  daughter  of  Edith  Kurtz  Apple, 
O:  16.  Enid  Ellis  (daughter  of  Enid  Holmes  Ellis.  6):  17.  Elizabeth  and  Virginia  Rush  (daugh- 
ters of  Marie  \A'ood  Rush,  A);  18.  Louise  Mcintosh  (daughter  of  Louise  Durbin  Mcintosh,  A); 
19.  Ruth  Jane,  Roberta,  and  Raymond  (children  of  Ruth  Rinehart  Matter.  I);  20.  Elizabeth, 
Marion,  Mildred,  and  Xorman  (children  of  lola  Harker  Withey,  K)  ;  21.  Robert  Knox  Rothschild 
(son  of  Flora  Knox  Rothschild,  K)  ;  22.  Janet  Ewell  Pratt  (daughter  of  Alarion  Ewell  Pratt,  F)  ; 
23.  Romney  Masters  (son  of  Bess  Masters,  11):  24.  Josephine  Dickie  (daughter  of  Augusta 
Brockway  Dickie):  25.  Eleanor  Oechsli  (daughter  of  Loula  Boicourt  Oechsli,  O)  :  26.  Baby  Rock- 
well (daughter  of  Celia  Conklin  Rockwell,  S)  ;  27.  Phyllis  Oechsli  with  Amah  (daughter  of  Loula 
Boicourt  Oechsli,  O)  ;  28.  William  and  Julie  Stevenson  (son  and  daughter  of  Evangeline  Bridge 
Stevenson,  Z)  ;  29.  Mrs.  Gertrude  Sackett  and  family;  30.  Ruth  Alabel  Johnson  (daughter  of  Nell 
Whitmore  Johnson,  3);  31.  Alary  Virginia  and  Carrol  T.  Culley  (son  and  daughter  of  Caroline 
Schmidt  Culley,  Z)  ;  32.  Barbara  Ellen  Cappeau  (daughter  of  Louise  Lord  Cappeau,  A)  ;  33.  Ruth 
Frances  Billings  and  Lyman  Conray  Evans;  34.  Kelly,  Corinne,  and  Alargaret  Woods  (children 
of   Lucile   Kelley   Woods,  O). 


Alumn/e  Clubs  131 

in  Portland.  At  that  time  she  discussed  with  tlie  Portland  Aljjha  Chis,  the 
possibilities  of  forming  an  alumn;c  clul)  to  which  any  Alpha  Chi  Omega  living 
in  Oregon  would  be  eligible.  The  girls  were  enthusia.stic  over  the  plan  and 
two  months  later  the  Club  was  a  reality  with  Beatrix  Andrews  Hopkins,  Iota; 
Beulah  Buckley  Withrow,  Xi;  Myrtle  Harrison,  Rho ;  Ernestine  Heslop, 
Nu;  Leonora  Kerr,  Pi;  Myrtle  Wilcox  Gilbert,  Theta;  (iertrude  Nolan, 
Pi;  and  Mae  SteusloiT,  Chi.  as  charter  members.  Tlie  Club  soon  numbered 
about  twenty  for  girls  from  Portland,  Salem,  Corvallis,  and  other  Oregon 
towns  became  members.  Except  during  the  summer  vacations,  however,  there 
have  never  been  more  than  .six  members  in  Portland  at  one  time.  Since  the 
organization  of  the  club,  meetings  have  been  held  on  the  third  Wednesday  of 
each  month  at  the  homes  of  the  different  girls.  The  regular  business  meet- 
ings have  been  followed  by  an  hour  or  so  devoted  to  social  chat.  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  songs  and  tea.  Each  year,  in  June,  there  has  l)een  a  luncheon  and 
musicale  at  the  Hotel  Benson  in  Portland.  'I'he  plan  is  to  have  this  an  annual 
affair  when  a  number  of  out-of-town  members  can  be  present.  In  this  wav, 
all  the  girls  can  become  better  acquainted  and  take  a  more  active  interest  in 
the  club.  During  the  summer  there  have  been  informal  social  gatherings  and 
picnics.  The  club  has  tried  to  do  its  share  in  the  work  of  the  Portland  Pan- 
hellenic.  though  with  so  small  a  representation,  it  has  been  impossible 
to  do  a  great  deal.  The  chief  work  of  the  Panhellenic  has  been  to  give  a 
scholarship  to  some  deserving  woman  at  the  University  of  Oregon.  A  college 
fete  has  been  given  each  year  to  raise  the  funds.  This  year,  several  Alpha 
Chis  were  on  committees  and  assisted  in  one  of  the  booths. 

The  District  of  Columbia  A  In  in /m  Club,  Washington,  D.  C,  was  for- 
mally organized  April  23,  1915,  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  W.  F.  Ham.  Although 
the  Alpha  Chi  Omegas  had  met  together  several  times  before  this,  no  effort 
had  been  made  to  have  regular  meetings  of  any  kind,  until  Myra  Jones  and 
Mary-Emma  Griffith  invited  the  other  girls  in  tlie  city  to  meet  at  a  tea  on 
Washington's  Birthday,  in  1915.  This  meeting  was  notable  for  the  lack  of 
attendance  of  Alpha  Chi  Omegas,  only  three  responding  to  the  invitation  in 
person,  notes  being  received  from  all  the  others  regretting  that  absence  from 
the  city  prevented  attendance.  This  scattering  of  members  is  so  characteristic 
of  the  residents  of  Washington,  that  it  often  is  true  that  a  meeting  of  the 
club  one  month  will  consist  of  members  none  of  whom  were  at  the  meeting 
the  previous  month.  The  only  delightful  feature  which  the  migratory  nature 
of  the  population  of  Wa.shington  brings  is  tliat  scarcely  a  meeting  passes  that 
there  is  not  an  out-of-town  visitor,  with  news  of  other  Alpha  Chi  Omegas 
in  the  cities  and  colleges  of  the  country.  Since  the  organization  meetings, 
monthly  meetings  have  been  held,  with  the  exception  of  the  summer  months, 
at  the  beautiful  home  of  Suzanne  Mulford  Ham,  where  an  attractive  room 
is  called  the  "Alpha  Chi  Clubroom."  The  meetings  so  far  have  been  purclv 
social  "get-acquainted"  ones,  but  during  the  next  few  years  the  club  hopes  to 
help  with  the  work  in  the  orphans'  homes  in  the  city.  It  plans,  also,  to  assist 
in  the  national  work  of  the  Fraternity.      Ten  dollars  has  already  been  given 


132  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

to  the  Reserve  Fund.  The  memliers  are :  Ethel  Ford  Cone,  Dorothy  Dashiell, 
Delta;  Grace  Dewey,  Theta ;  Beulah  Dickert,  Tau ;  Eddie  Dickert,  Tau ; 
Mary-Emma  Griffith,  Lambda;  Susanne  Mulford  Ham,  Gamma;  Myra  H. 
Jones,  Lambda;  Katherine  McReynolds  Morrison,  Alpha;  Ethel  Sloan,  Xi ; 
George  Th5nssen,  Zeta :  Florence  Lamb  Van  Eseltine,  Lambda ;  Pearl 
AVaugh.  Alpha:  Non-resident.  Alice  Louise  Baldwin,  Zeta;  Lillian  Dodson 
Brown,  Zeta;  Achsah  Wentz,  Xi. 

Pueblo  AlumncB  Club.  Pueblo,  Colorado,  was  organized  in  January,  1916, 
and  is  made  up  of  the  following  members:  Helen  McGraw,  Nu,  president; 
Alinda  Montgomery,  Zeta,  vice-president ;  Mary  C.  McNally,  Iota,  secretary- 
treasurer  :  Vera  Flvnn,  Nu.  editor.  The  other  members  are:  Mrs.  Hedwig 
Breneman-Heller,  Gamma;  Emily  Haver,  Iota;  Mrs.  Esther  Olson  Stohrer, 
Nu :  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Fugard  Pressley,  Nu.  Non-resident  members :  Mrs. 
Kathryn  Nelson  Rothgeb,  Iota,  of  Colorado  Springs ;  Mae  Morgan.  Nu, 
Canon  City  ;  Kate  Goben,  Nu,  Rocky  Ford.  Meetings  are  held  immediately 
after  Panhellenic  luncheons  once  a  month  in  one  of  the  hotels.  Several  mem- 
bers are  teachers  either  in  high  or  grammar  school  ;  one  girl  is  living  on  a 
ranch  with  her  brother ;  two  members  are  doing  advanced  work  at  colleges 
this  year.  There  are  sixty  manbers  of  the  Panhellenic  in  Pueblo.  The 
Alpha  Chi  Omegas  have  always  supported  and  helped  this  organization  in 
every  way.  Mary  C.  McNally  was  vice-president  for  1915-1916.  Nearly 
every  committee  that  is  appointed  has  on  it  an  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  This 
Panhellenic  has  a  luncheon  on  the  first  Saturday  of  each  month,  followed 
by  an  informal  meeting.  At  present  they  are  raising  money  to  furnish  a 
room  in  the  new  Y.  W.  C.  A. 

Terre  Haute  AlumncE  Club,  Terre  Haute,  Ind.  On  the  sixteenth  of 
December,  1915,  a  few  Alpha  Chi  alumnae  met  at  the  home  of  Mary  Jones 
Tennant  and  over  the  teacups  discussed  a  club.  In  February,  1916,  an 
organization  was  formed  with  the  following  officers :  Mrs.  Fred  Powell, 
president;  Mrs.  Richard  S.  Tennant,  secretary;  Mrs.  Jas.  M.  Hoskim,  trea- 
surer. It  was  decided  to  have  a  combined  meeting  and  luncheon  the  third 
Wednesday  of  each  month  of  the  college  year.  The  membership  slowly 
increased  until  the  present  roll  has  been  reached :  Mabelle  Forshee  Blakes- 
ley,  Effie  Miller,  Harriet  Cutshall  Jones,  Ruth  Cross  Tobin,  Shellie  Smith 
Allen,  Minnie  Keith  Hoskim.  Nelle  Williams  Powell,  Mary  Jones  Tennant, 
Irma  Hand,  Vern  Jackson.  Kathleen  Logan.  Owing  to  the  social  condi- 
tions of  Terre  Haute  no  college  organization  of  any  kind  has  ever  been 
established  before. 

Denver  Alwnn^  Club,  Denver,  Colorado,  was  organized  July  29,  1916, 
after  existing  informally  since  April  of  that  year.  The  charter  members  are: 
Pearl   Armitage  Jamieson,   Alpha;    Shirley   C.    Lewis,    Nu;    Muriel    Lough 


Ai.LMN.K  Clubs  133 

Woods.  Oniicron;  Mildred  McFarlaue,  Nu ;  Charlotte  Boutwcll,  Phi;  Mrs. 
Walter  Raymond  Laryse,  Nu. 

Twin  Cities  Almmuc  Club  petition  was  granted  at  the  time  this  book  was 
going  to  press,  to  be  installed  November  1,  1916,  at  the  home  of  Nathalie  L. 
Thompson,  2235  Langford  Avenue,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 


CHAPTER  XI 

GOVERNMENT 

The  present  system  of  government  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  evolved  through 
three  well-defined  stages.  From  1885-1891,  the  legislative  power  of  the 
organization  was  vested  in  Alpha  Chapter  as  the  Grand  Chapter.  From  1891- 
1898  general  officers  were  elected  from  the  chapters  in  rotation,  and  the 
legislative  power  rested  in  the  National  Convention.  In  1898  the  Grand 
Council  (later  called  National  Council)  was  inaugurated. 

Thirteen  years  were  destined  to  pass  before  the  original  plan  of  govern- 
ment was  materially  altered  to  meet  the  demands  of  a  growing  and  progres- 
sive organization.  During  that  time,  with  the  exception  of  a  two-year  period 
for  Beta,  1896-1898,  out  of  loyalty  to  and  as  a  tribute  to  the  mother  chapter, 
Alpha  was  vested  with  the  title  of  Grand  Chapter.  The  duties  and  powers 
of  this  body  differed  materially  from  those  of  the  present  Grand  Chapter  (the 
National  Convention).  The  convention  which  met  preceding  the  assembly 
which  established  the  present  system  of  government  decided  "that  Alpha  be 
Grand  Chapter  always."  This  legislation  not  only  speaks  of  the  fraternity's 
confidence  in  the  mother  chapter,  but  testifies  eloquently  of  the  futility  of 
legislating  for  eternity,  for  in  1904  the  National  Convention  was  christened 
the  Grand  Chapter.  Under  the  guidance  of  the  officers  of  Alpha  the  original 
Grand  Chapter  had  legislative  power  until  the  first  convention,  1891,  after 
which  year  the  name  typified  an  honor  rather  than  governing  power. 

The  first  cabinet  of  general  officers  was  elected  at  the  initial  convention. 
For  seven  years  succeeding  the  first  National  Convention  the  assembly  con- 
vened annually  until  1898  with  the  exception  of  the  years  1892  and  1895. 
During  this  period  the  government  of  the  Fraternity  was  vested  in  the 
conventions,  with  advisory  power  divided  between  the  general  officers  and 
Alpha  as  Grand  Chapter.  The  official  element  of  these  conventions  was 
composed  of  one  delegate  from  each  active  chapter,  each  member  having  one 
vote. 

In  1898  two  decisive  changes  were  wrought  in  the  government  sy.stem  of 
the  Fraternity,  the  creation  of  a  Grand  Council  and  the  provision  for  biennial 
instead  of  annual  conventions.  From  that  year  to  the  present  the  National 
Convention,  or,  as  it  was  christened  in  1904,  the  Grand  Chapter,  has  con- 
stituted the  supreme  ruling  power  in  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  It  is  composed  of  the 
National  Council,  the  Province  President,  and  one  official  delegate  from  each 
active  and  alumnae  chapter,  each  member  having  one  vote.  Official  attendance 
on  the  part  of  the  members  of  the  Grand  Council  and  the  delegates  is  com- 
pulsory. Each  chapter  is  permitted  to  send  other  delegates  as  alternates, 
but  this  does  not  increase  the  ntmiber  of  votes  allowed  each  chapter.  In  1908 
the  voting  privilege  was  extended  to  the  ex-grand  presidents,  and  in  1916  to 
the  founders.  The  powers  of  the  National  Convention  are  stated  in  the  Con- 
stitution as  follows : 


Government 


135 


"The  National  Coini'iitioii  sliall  lia\e  jiowit  to  transact  all  business  of  the 
fraternity  and  to  enact.  sul)jecl  to  this  Constitution,  all  laws,  rules,  and  regu- 
lations necessary  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  fraternity;  to  provide  for  and 
define  in  the  Code  the  duties  of  the  chapters,  chapter  officers,  and  members  of 
the  fraternity;  to  jjrovide  in  the  Code  for  the  creation  and  disbursement  of 
all  revenues  of  the  fraternity;  tt)  grant  charters  to  acti.ve  and  alumna;  chapters 
subject  to  the  rulings  of  the  Coirstitution  ;  to  suspend  or  revoke  the  cliarter 
of  any  chapter  subject  to  the  rulings  of  the  Constitution;    to  establish  the 


Maude  Staiger  Steinek,   Theta 
Extension  Vice-president,    1915- 


provinces  of  the  fraternity;  to  elect  the  members  of  the  National  Council; 
and  to  amend  this  Constitution.  A  three- fourths  vote  of  all  voting  members 
present  shall  be  necessary." 

The  National  Council  has  continued  to  be  the  balance  in  the  internal  fra- 
ternity mechanism  which  has  maintained  a  true  adjustment  in  policies  and  in 
the  countless  matters  which  must  be  dealt  with  in  the  intervals  between  con- 
ventions. It  is  composed  of  seven  officers  elected  from  alummt  of  proved 
ability.  b\-  the  National  Con\-eiition.  to  the  positions  oi  National  President; 


136 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 


National  First  Vice-president  or  Alumn;e  \'i(-e-president ;  National  Second 
Vice-president  or  Extension  Vice-president;  National  Secretary;  National 
Treasurer;  Editor  The  Lyre;  and  National  Inspector. 

During  the  interim  between  conYentions,  the  National  Council  is  the 
supreme  governing  power  of  the  Fraternity,  and  possesses  "all  the  powers 
of  the  National  Convention,  except  the  amendment  of  the  Constitution."  It 
is  thus  the  real  administrative  force  of  the  Fraternitv.     For  five  vears  after 


Mary  Emma  Griffith,  Lambda 
Exchange    Editor    The   Lyre,    1910-1912 
Official    Examiner,    1910-1915 
Xational  Secretary,   1915 

the  organization  of  the  National  Council,  its  business  was  transacted  entirely 
through  correspondence.  As  this  method  of  procedure  proved  inadequate, 
the  convention  of  1902  ordered  the  convening  of  the  Council  in  the  inter- 
convention  years,  the  time  and  place  of  such  meeting  to  be  detemiined  by  the 
Council  itself.  Since  that  time  the  Council  has  also  met  for  conference 
immediately  preceding  conventions,  which  custom  makes  their  meetings  annual 
occurrences. 

Aside  from  performing  the  duties  naturally  incumbent  upon  officers  of 
their  respective  titles,  the  national  officers  are  constantly  occupied  with  a  vast 


Govern  MKNT  137 

amount  of  committee  work  of  various  descriptions.  Naturally  the  President  is 
an  ex-officio  member  of  all  committees;  for  the  past  five  years  she  has  been 
chairman  of  the  Reserve  Fund  Committee.  The  Vice-president  is  chairman 
of  the  Extension  Committee,  and  while  that  officer  has  not  always  been  the 
one  to  investigate  and  to  install  new  chapters,  the  matter  of  extension  and 
investigation  is,  to  a  great  extent,  in  her  hands.  The  Treasurer  handles  the 
finances  of  the  Fraternity  primarily,  but  two  of  these  officers  have  also  filled 
the  position  of  business  manager  of  The  Lyre  in  addition  to  performing  the 
regular  duties.  The  present  Treasurer  has  charge  of  the  finances  of  the  new 
History.  The  Grand  Secretaries  have  frequently  managed  conventions  as 
well  as  attended  to  the  correspondence.  At  present  the  Secretary  is  also  the 
Editor  of  The  Argolid  and  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Official  Supplies. 
Secretaries  have  also  acted  in  the  capacity  of  Custodian  of  the  Badge,  now  a 
separate  ofiicer.  The  Inspector,  in  addition  to  her  duties  of  visiting  all  the 
active  chapters  once  in  two  years,  has  for  years  also  been  the  delegate  of  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  to  the  National  Panhellenic  Conference  and  has  done  valuable 
committee  work  in  that  capacity. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  journal  the  Editor  of  The  Lyre  acted  also  as  the 
Business  Manager,  but  with  the  growth  of  the  Fraternity  as  well  as  the 
growth  of  the  journal,  this  has  been  an  impossibility ;  the  .separate  office  of 
Business  Manager  was  created,  giving  the  Editor  the  needed  time  to  devote 
to  her  literary  work  and  to  serve  on  numerous  committees.  The  Editor  of 
The  Lyre  is  Editor,  also,  of  The  Heraeiim,  for  three  years  was  Editor  of  The 
Argolid,  and  Editor  of  the  Daily  Convention  Transcript.  In  1911  she  was 
Editor  of  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  and  is  the  author  of  the  present 
volume. 

In  1915  a  division  of  the  work  of  the  Vice-president  was  made  to  take  care 
of  the  increasing  duties  accompanying  the  organization  of  alumnje  members. 
One  officer  is  termed  the  First  Vice-president,  and  has  charge  of  alumna; 
extension,  alumnae  organization,  and  is  chairman  of  the  Alumnae  Association. 
She  holds  the  chairmanship  also  of  the  Committee  on  Chapter  Houses  which 
supervises  all  house-building  operations.  The  Second  Vice-president  has 
charge  of  expansion. 

When  the  1904  Convention  in  Meadville  created  the  office  of  Inspector 
in  the  Council,  a  new  era  dawned  in  the  Fraternity,,  and  an  important  step 
was  taken  towards  a  closer  understanding  and  cooperation  between  the 
National  Council  and  the  active  chapters,  and  a  firmer  stand  was  made  for 
high  scholarship  and  for  thorough  business  methods  w-ithin  the  chapters.  The 
Inspector,  or  a  delegate  appointed  Hy  her,  visits  each  active  chapter  in  the 
interim  between  the  biennial  conventions.  During  these  visits  she  not  only 
becomes  closely  acquainted  with  the  active  members  of  the  chapter  and 
inspects  their  books,  records,  and  fraternity  equipment  to  see  how  the  business 
of  the  chapter  is  being  conducted.  l)ut  she  holds  conferences  with  the  Dean 
of  Women,  the  Alumnae  Adviser,  the  Chaperon,  the  mothers  (when  possible), 
and  with  various  instructors,  in  order  to  learn  the  standing  of  the  chapter  in 
the  college,  and  the  scholarship  of  the  individual  members.  When  possible 
she  meets  with  the  local   Panhellenic  .Association.  sometime.s  addressing  that 


138 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


Nella  Ramsdell  Fall,  Beta 
Inspector,   1915 

organization,  for,  being  the  fraternity  representative  to  the  National  Pan- 
hellenic  Conference,  she  is  well  versed  in  the  matters  of  vital  interest  to  those 
bodies.  At  least  once  a  semester  a  report  from  the  Dean  of  Women  and 
scholarship  reports  of  the  individual  members  of  each  chapter  are  sent  by  the 
chapter  secretary  to  the  Inspector.  The  results  of  her  investigations  are 
reported  by  her  annually  to  the  National  Council,  and  biennially  to  the 
National  Convention.  The  close  relation  existing  between  the  chapters  and 
the  administration  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  has  always  been  a  source  of  gratifica- 
tion to  the  Council,  and  when  in  1908  the  system  of  official  inspection  was 
supplemented  by  the  constitutional  rec]uirement  of  Alumna?  Advisers,  the 
officers  felt  assured  that  an  even  closer  and  more  personal  communion  had 
been  secured.  Formerly  the  office  of  Alumnae  Adviser  was  optional  with  the 
chapters,  being  regulated  by  chapter  policies,  but  now  that  it  is  required  and 
is  an  annual  elective  one.  to  insure  harmony  and  sympathy,  the  small  local 
difficulties  which  confront  any  chapter,  have  been  greatly  minimized  and 
a  sound,  cooperative,  working  basis  established  between  active  chapters, 
alumn;ie,  and  the  National  Council. 


Government  141 

Although  the  Alumna;  Advisers  form  an  advisory  committee  who  work 
with  the  Inspector,  conduct  the  annual  fraternity  examinations  and  post- 
initiation  examinations,  furnish  reports  to  the  Province  Presidents  at  stated 
inter\a]s.  secure  the  individual  scholarship  reports  at  least  once  each  semes- 
ter, and  act  as  alumnae  representatives  to  the  local  Panhellenics,  their  duties 
are  otherwise  left  to  their  discretion  and  good  judgment.  In  a  word,  they  act 
as  sympathetic  guardians  to  the  chapters  by  whom  they  are  elected  and  in  all 
cases  they  are  sincerely  loved  by  the  active  members  and  are  chosen  to  their 
positions  because  of  their  ability  and  loyal  fraternity  service. 

In  1912  the  complex  and  voluminous  duties  of  the  National  Council  were 
simplified  by  the  adoption,  upon  the  acceptance  of  the  revision  of  the  Con- 
stitution, of  the  province  system  of  Covernment.  The  fraternity  had  grown 
too  large  for  a  small  number  of  officers  to  do  satisfactorily  the  entire  work  of 
sup>ervision..  As  may  be  seen  easily  from  the  accompanying  map  of  the 
provinces,  the  United  States  were  subdivided  into  logical  groups  or  sections. 
This  division  was  made  with  foresight  as  well  as  with  practicality.  No 
change  in  the  provinces  will  need  to  be  made  for  many  years  if  at  all.  The 
divisions  were  made  as  follows : 

Pacific  Province :  Washington,  California,  Oregon,  Idaho.  Montana, 
Nevada,  Utah,  Arizona. 

Western :  Nebraska,  Kansas,  Colorado,  North  Dakota,  South  Dakota, 
Oklahoma,  Wyoming,  New  Mexico. 

Central :    Iowa.  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Arkansas.  Minnesota.  Missouri. 
Eastern:    Michigan,  Indiana,  Ohio,  West  Virginia,   Kentucky,  Virginia, 
Tennessee,  North  Carolina,  Maryland. 

Atlantic :  Pennsylvania,  New  York.  Massachusetts,  Ontario,  Maine, 
Vermont,  New  Hampshire,  Connecticut.  Rhode  Islantl.  New  Jersey,  Dela- 
ware. 

Southern:  Georgia,  Texas.  Louisiana.  Florida,  Mississippi,  Alabama, 
South  Carolina. 

(The  Southern  Province  is  combined  with  the  Eastern  until  three  Chapters 
shall  lie  within  the  Southern  Province.) 

The  president  for  each  province  inspects  "the  chapters  within  her  province 
once  in  two  years  in  the  year  alternating  with  the  visit  of  the  National 
Inspector,  or  at  any  other  time  deemed  advi.sable  by  the  National  Council"  ; 
she  keeps  "a  correct  card  index  directory  of  her  province"  ;  grades  "the  second 
and  third-year  examination  papers  of  each  chapter,"  cooperates  with  the  exten- 
sion vice-president  in  matters  of  extension  and  alumnae  work  ;  and  forwards  a 
detailed  report  to  the  National  Inspector  of  the  condition  and  welfare  of 
the  chapters  within  her  province  on  the  first  of  December  and  the  first  of 
April  of  each  year. 

With  the  increasing  development  of  the  Fraternity  has  come  the  need  for 
sectional  meetings  of  chapters  to  decide  upon  matters  of  minor  and  local 
importance.  Therefore  it  has  been  provided  that  such  gatherings  may  meet, 
and  at  no  far  distant  date  there  will  be  this  additional  opportunity  for  inter- 
chapter  discussions.     In  the  Code  (Title  VII.  Clause  5)  occurs  the  provision: 


142 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 


Province  Presidents 


Alice  Watson  Dixon,   Gamma 
President    Eastern    Province,    1913-1914 


Grace    Hammond    Holmes,    Delta 
President    Atlantic    Province,    1913-1915 


"The  chapters  in  a  province  may  hold  a  Province  Convention  at  such 
time  and  place  as  they  may  agree  upon  provided  said  agreement  be  approv'ed 
by  the  president  of  that  province.  Each  chapter  shall  make  separate  pro- 
vision for  meeting  the  expenses  of  its  delegate  to  said  convention,  but  no 
penalty  shall  attain  to  any  chapter  for  lack  of  representation  in  such  conven- 
tion. No  Province  Convention  may  enact  anv  legislation  to  conflict  with  the 
Bond,   Constitution.   Code,   or   Ritual   of  this   Fraternity." 

The  results  of  the  province  system  of  government  have  been  significantly 
satisfactory.  The  province  pre.sidents  stand  in  the  close,  personal  relation  to 
the  individual  chapters  in  wliich  the  council  members  wish  to  be  but  cannot  be 
on  account  of  distance  and  of  the  heavy  burdens  of  their  offices. 

As  the  province  president  through  her  own  efforts  and  through  the 
cooperation  of  the  alumna  adviser  brings  Council  and  chapter  into  closer 
understanding  with  each  other,  so  in  a  more  personal  way,  does  the  mysta- 
gogue  bring  to  the  individual  member  advice  and  sympathetic  interpretation 
of  the  meaning  of  fraternity  and  its  responsibilities  and  opportunities.  A 
mystagogue  is  appointed  for  each  pledged  member  from  among  the  upper- 
classmen  in  the  chapter.  All  details  of  a  personal  nature  are  referred  by  the 
girl,  or  by  the  chapter,  to  the  mystagogue.  Usually  such  matters  need  go  no 
further ;  and  the  new  members  attain  adaptabilitv  with  the  minimum  of  time 
and  nerve  expenditure. 

The  chapter  is,  therefore,  guided  by  its  own  members,  by  its  alumna 
adviser,  by  its  province  president,  as  well  as  by  the  National  Inspector,  and 
the  National  Council.     Each  chapter  officer  has  direct  relations  with  a  corres- 


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144  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 

ponding  national  officer,  that  is,  the  president  of  a  chapter  cUscusses  her  prob- 
lems directl}'  with  the  National  President,  the  chapter  treasurer's  business  is 
transacted  with  the  National  Treasurer.  Harmony  and  the  deepest  interest, 
sweetened  often  by  strong  ])ersonal  affection,  characterize  the  intercourse 
between  the  National  Council  and  the  varioiLs  chapters.  Cooperation  is  our 
strength. 


Mrs.  El  Fleda  Coleman  Jackson,  Gamma 
President  of   Eastern  Province,   1916 

Following  is  the  list  of  Province  Presidents,  1913-1916: 

Central  Province:  Mrs.  Newton  Roberts,  April,  1913,  1914-1915;  Mrs. 
Ellis  Rhodes,   19 15-. 

Eastern  Province:  Mrs.  Willard  Dixon,  April,  igij;  Mrs.  Hatswell- 
Bowman,  1914-1915;  Miss  Frances  Kirkwood,  1915-16;  Mrs.  Wayman  C. 
Jackson,  19 16-. 

Western  Province:  Mrs.  Thomas  Mauck,  April,  191 3;  Mrs.  Newton 
Roberts,  1914-1915;  Mrs.  Vincent  C.  Hascall,  1915-. 

Pacific  Province:  Mrs.  Frederick  M.  Green,  April.  1913;  1914-1915; 
Miss  Anne  Shepard,  19 15-. 

Atlantic  Province:  Mrs.  Arthur  Holmes,  April,  1913,  1914-1915;  Miss 
Anne  McLeary,  19 15-. 

The  finances  of  the  Fraternity  are  managed  by  the  National  Treasurer, 
who  is  assisted  by  a  Deputy  Treasurer,  and  the  Finance  Board.     The  budget 


GOVKRXMEXT 


145 


system  is  used  in  the  handlinj,^  of  national  funds,  and  in  the  financial  manage- 
ment of  chapters.  The  National  Treasurer  has  custody  of  all  current  moneys, 
and  oversight  of  all  minor  funds  of  the  l'"ratcrnity.  She  also  has  direct  super- 
vision of  all  financial  matters  of  active  chapters.  She  receives  monthly 
reports,  on  printed  forms,  of  their  expenditures,  their  receipts,  and  their 
liabilities.  By  wise  direction  in  the  use  of  the  budget  system  she  makes 
possible  uniformly  businesslike  and  discreet  financial  management  in  all  the 
chapters.*     Therefore  we  iind.  at   the  outset,  that  careful  .supervision  and 

*FORM    FOR    B0Dr.ET    FOR    CHAPTERS    WHICH    MAINTAIN    HOUSES 

(To  be  filled  out  and  returned  to  National  Treasurer  within  two  weeks  after  opening  of  college.) 

ALPHA    CHI    OMEGA 

Chapter 

BUDGET  FOR  (year) 

No.   members  in   cliapter  No.  members  in  house  _ _ 

Room   rent  per  member  per        month Board  per  member  per    |  ^^t,,. 

Initiation  fee   (including  $5   payment  to  Lyre)   „ 

Dues    per    member    per        j  '""""^    


month 


Outstanding   indebtedness,   if  any,   at  beginning   of   college   year?    

For  what  incurred?  _ How  is  indebtedness  to  be  met? 


HOUSE    AND    FRATERNITY 

Receipts 

11 

K.xpenditures 

1    Month 

1        Year       || 

1    Month    1 

Year 

Room  rent  . 
Summer  rent 
Miscellaneous 


Dues: 

Active   members 
Pledges      

Initiation    fees     .  .  . 

Alumn.Te    clues    .  .  .  . 

Miscellaneous     .  .  .  . 


Board     

Extra    meals 


Total 


Rent    of    house 

Fuel    

Light    

Water    

Piano      

Furniture     .... 

Repairs     

Insurance    .... 
Chaperon     .  .  .  .  , 

Servants    

Laundry     

Telephone     .  .  .  . 
Miscellaneous   .  . 


NITY 

Per  capita  tax   

Lyre  subscriptions    .  .  .  . 

Stationery     

Entertainment: 

Rushing     

Other   entertainment 

Cut  in  Lyre   

Cut   in    college   annual 
Membership     cards     . .  . 

Periodicals    

Miscellaneous     

Balance      


Total      .... 

Total 

COMMISSARY 

Receipts 

n 

Expenditures 

1    Month     1 

Year       1 1 

1    .Month    1 

Year 

Groceries,   meats 

Fuel     

Servants    

Laundry      

Miscellaneous 
Balance     


Total 


remarks: 


(Signed) 


Chapter  Treasurer. 


146 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 


uniform   methcKi  which   in  a   larj^^e  organization   are  essential   to   orderliness, 
economv.  and  progress. 

The  development  of  the  financial  system  has  been  correlative  with  the 
growth  and  progress  of  other  departments  within  the  Fraternity.     During  the 


Myr.a.   H.   Jones,  Lambda 

National  Treasurer,  1915 


first  two  years  of  the  existence  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  the  finances  were  con- 
trolled and  borne  by  Alpha  Chapter.  With  the  increase  of  chapters,  installa- 
tion fees  and  annual  chapter  dues  have  been  paid  into  the  National  Treasury 

INSTRUCTIONS 

A  budget  of  chapter  expenses  in  an  estimate  of  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  chapter 
for  the  following  college  year,  computed  in  advance,  as  far  as  practicable,  on  a  basis  of  the 
previous  twelve  months'  figures.  To  obtain  such  an  estimate  the  accounts  for  the  previous  year 
should  be  gone  over  carefully,  and  the  expenses  of  the  various  items— fuel,  light,  water,  etc. — 
totalled.  Because  of  the  general  increase  in  prices,  an  advance  of  10  per  cent  should  be  added 
to  the  totals  of  all  variable  expenses.  (e.  g.,  house  rent  is  an  exact  expense;  expense  for 
fuel  is  variable.)  A  liberal  allowance  should  be  made  for  miscellaneous  expenses,  as  these  are 
usually   greater  than  estimated. 

The  per  capita  tax  should  be  provided  for  in  monthly  or  semester  dues,  and  should  not  be 
made  a  special  assessment. 

Amount  of  room  rent  to  be  charged  should  be  computed  on  the  basis  of  the  estimate  total 
expenditures  under   house  expenses,   divided   by   the   number   of   girls  in   the   house. 

Budget  must  be  made  out  in  duplicate  by  the  chapter  treasurer  with  the  help  of  the  chapter 
president  at  the  beginning  of  the  college  year,  and  shall  be  voted  on  by  the  active  chapter.  One 
copy  shall  be  retained  by  the  chapter  treasurer  and  one  copy  sent  to  the  National  Treasurer  for 
approval. 


( JOVERNMKM'  147 

for  the  general  maintenance  of  the  national  organization.  This  fund  provides 
for  the  immense  volume  of  business  carried  on  by  the  national  officers,  for  the 
inspection  and  installation  of  chapters,  for  the  railroad  fare  of  the  chapters' 
delegates  to  national  conventions,  and  for  the  expenses  of  the  national  officers 
to  their  required  assemblings,  lentil  1908  the  National  Treasury  also  assisted 
in  the  financing  of  The  Lyre,  but  at  the  convention  of  that  year  the  Business 
Manager  of  The  Lyre  reported  to  tlie  great  satisfaction  of  the  Fraternity  that 
the  magazine  had  become  self-supporting.  Since  1910,  The  Lyre  has  been  able 
to  return  the  courtesy  of  early  assistance  by  loans  without  interest  to  the 
National  Treasury,  by  the  sharing  of  various  items  of  expense,  by  the 
publication  of  the  membership  directory  at  the  loss  of  o\er  two  luuulred 
dollars  to  The  Lyre,  and  by  contributions  to  national  funds.  These  national 
funds,  the  Reserve  Fund,  I'he  Lyre  Reserve  Fund,  and  the  Scholarship  Fund, 
have  swelled  in  the  last  six  years  to  workable  amounts,  and  will  become, 
eventually,  a  useful  endowment  for  the  work  of  the  organization.  Although 
they  are  very  small,  so  far,  compared  to  endowment  funds,  they  have  proved, 
through  wise  management,  of  great  value  in  constructive  enterprises. 

I'he  chief  sources  of  the  revenue  of  the  Fraternity  are  four:  the  per 
capita  tax  paid  by  active  members  ;  the  alumn;e  notes  paid  for  two  years  by 
nonactive  members  :  a  .slight  profit  on  the  sale  of  fraternity  badges  made  in 
quantities  by  a  sole  official  jeweler  :  and  from  gifts.  The  first-mentioned  tax 
is  paid  in  Februarv  by  all  members  in  active  chapters.  Alumnae  notes  are  a 
comparatively  new  source  of  income.  In  common  with  general  fraternity 
practise.  Alpha  Chi  Omega  asks  alumna'  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  the 
organization  for  a  short  period,  at  least,  alter  severing  active  relatioD.s  with 
their  chapter.  This  support  takes,  with  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  the  form  of  two 
notes  for  live  dollars  each,  made  out  at  initiation,  and  payable  annually  the 
two  years  after  leaving  the  college.  r)ne-fifth  of  this  amount,  or  more  if 
possible,  goes  to  the  Scholarship  Fund,  one-fifth  to  the  Convention  Fund, 
and  the  remainder  to  the  Huilding  Fund  of  the  chapter  of  which  the  alumna 
is  a  member.  The  profit  which  accrues  to  the  Fraternitv  from  the  sale  of 
all  badges  by  one  jeweler,  instead  of  by  three  jewelers,  is  slight  on  each 
badge  but  considerable  on  the  purchases  of  a  year.  This  income  goes  into 
the  Scholarship  Fund.  The  gifts  from  individual  members  have  been  made 
for  specific  purposes,  such  as  for  the  Reserve  Fund,  or  the  Scholarship  Fund. 
The  chapters  and  clubs  have  made  gifts  as  groujjs  for  the  Macdowell  Colony 
Studio  and  for  the  Reserve  Fund.  Through  these  various  avenues,  the 
funds  have  come  into  the  coffers  of  the  national  organization  which,  through 
sagacity  and  economy  in  administration,  have  made  possible  wide  develop- 
ment of  internal  interests. 

Another  imi)ortant  feature  of  the  fraternity  governmeiu  is  the  examination 
system.  "Know  your  own  fraternity,  and  your  neighbor  (ireeks"  is  the 
theme  of  the  purpose  of  the  system.  The  Official  Fxaminer  may  seem  at  times 
a  rather  hard  taskmaster  with  lier  searching  (juestions  and  lier  effort  to  ascer- 


148  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Ojmega  Fraternity 

tain  precisely  what  each  member  thinks  upon  matters  of  Panhellenic  policy, 
and  of  college  and  fraternity  relationship.  Nevertheless,  there  is  no  member 
of  the  Fraternity  ^vho  does  not  find  that  the  thought  she  \vas  forced  to  give 
such  questions  has  made  her  a  better  Greek  and  a  more  loyal  alumna  of  her 
college. 

The  examination  system  now  in  use  consists  of  three  sets  of  questions. 
In  the  .spring  of  each  year,  suggestions  for  study  are  sent  to  each  alumnae 
adviser  of  each  chapter,  who  in  turn  transmits  them  to  the  chapters.  Every 
member  of  the  Fraternity,  except  those  who  have  been  in  the  chapter  for  four 
years,  is  required  to  take  one  of  these  examinations.  For  the  newly  initiated, 
there  is  an  elementary  set  of  questions  based  on  the  history  of  the  national 
fraternity  and  the  local  chapter,  the  National  Panhellenic  Congress,  and  the 
College  Panhellenic,  and  questions  of  general  collegiate  interest.  For  the 
second-year  member  an  examination  has  been  prepared  which  rec|uires  a  very 
accurate  and  definite  knowledge  of  the  constitution  and  code  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega.  Questions  are  asked  on  all  phases  of  local  and  national  policies.  The 
third-year  examination  requires  little  statistical  knowledge,  but  endeavors  to 
make  the  members  of  the  fraternity  express  their  attitude  on  Panhellenic 
questions,  scholarship  in  its  relation  to  fraternities,  the  Interfraternity  Con- 
ference, honorary  and  professional  societies,  and  other  matters  of  general 
interest  to  all  college  as  well  as  all  fraternity  women. 

These  outlines  cover  more  detailed  and  more  comprehensive  matters  than 
those  of  the  early  examinations.  Wider  intelligence  in  fraternity  and  educa- 
tional affairs  has  been  required  each  year  by  the  questions  asked.  The  first 
uniform  list  of  questions  appears  in  the  minutes  of  the  Eighth  National  Con- 
vention (1902)  in  the  report  of  the  committee  to  prepare  a  list  of  questions 
"to  be  used  for  the  examination  of  pledged  girls  before  the  initiation."  The 
list  of  questions  decided  upon  were  the  following  twelve : 

1.  What  was  the  first  fraternity  founded  in  the  United  States?  When? 
Where? 

2.  State  in  a  g'eneral  way  the  development  of  the  fraternity  system. 

3.  What  was  the  first  sorority  founded  in  the  United  States?  Where? 
When? 

4.  Name  the  national  sororities  in  the  United  States  and  describe  the 
pin  of  each. 

5.  In  what  institutions  in  this  state  are  these  sororities  represented? 

6.  Name  seven  representative  national  fraternities. 

7.  Name  the  national  honorary  fraternity  and  describe  its  badge. 

8.  Where  was  Alpha  Chi  Omega  founded?     When?     By  whom? 

9.  Name  the  chapters  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Sorority  in  order  of  their 
establishment,  and  name  the  institution,  city,  and  state  in  which  each  is 
located. 

10.      Name  the  fraternities  represented  in  this  institution. 


Government  149 

11.  Name  the  sororities  reiircsented  in  tliis  institution  in  the  order  of 
their  establishment. 

12.  In  talking  with  a  person  unacquainted  with  or  prejudiced  against 
fraternities,  what  good  practical  reasons  \vt)uld  you  give  in  favor  of  frater- 
nities? Give  at  least  seven  reasons.  (The  answer  to  be  based  upon  the 
article  in  Baird's  .1  /iii-rican  Fraternities.) 

Prior  to  1902,  fraternity  examinations  in  Alpha  Chi  Omega  were  optional 
with  the  chapters,  the  general  custom  being  that  of  giving  them  only  to 
pledged  members  immediately  prior  to  their  initiation.  During  the  period 
from  1902  to  1908,  official  fraternity  examinations  were  held  annually  for 
both  pledges  and  active  members.  As  the  lack  of  necessity  for  requiring 
active  members  to  take  these  examinations  every  year  soon  became  apparent, 
the  1908  Grand  Chapter  ordered  that  a  system  of  graded  examinations  be 
adopted,  and  appointed  Alta  Allen  Loud  and  Mabel  Harriet  Siller  to  prepare 
the  sets  of  questions.  This  plan  provides  for  a  preentrance  examination  to  be 
given  immediatelv  before  initiation,  a  second  examination  to  be  given  in  the 
second  year  of  fraternity  life,  and  another  in  the  third  year,  the  members 
active  for  four  or  more  years  to  be  exempt  from  further  examinations. 

The  questiotis  are  not  confined  to  facts  concerning  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  nor 
even  to  fraternity  matters  in  general,  but  they  include  points  of  general 
collegiate  interest  which  every  fraternity  member  should  know.  The  pre- 
entrance examination  covers  the  organization  and  history  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega ;  the  second  covers  the  constitutit)n,  by-laws,  ritual,  and  ceremonies  ; 
while  the  third  deals  with  policies,  alumnae  chapters,  Panhellenic,  and  general 
fraternity  and  collegiate  matters. 

For  several  years  a  committee  of  the  National  Council  had  charge  of  the 
examinations,  but  as  this  extra  work  proved  too  great  a  tax  upon  these  officers, 
in  1909  the  Council  authorized  the  appointment  of  an  official  examiner.  This 
office  was  held  by  Mary  Ferine,  B,  in  1909-1910;  by  Mary  Emma  (Griffith,  A, 
in  1910-1915;  and  by  Bertha  H.  Reichert,  2,  1915.  The  examinations  are 
conducted  by  the  alumnje  advisers  of  the  respective  chapters,  who  correct  the 
preentrance  papers  (as  these  examinations  are  given  at  diverse  times  of  the 
year)  and  send  the  other  papers  to  the  province  president  who  corrects  them 
and  sends  the  grades  to  the  Official  Examiner.  A  report  of  chapter  averages 
is  published  annually. 

The  system  of  examinations  is  accomplishing  its  purpose.  It  is  consummat- 
mg  the  desire  of  the  national  officers  of  tlie  Fraternity  that  members  shall  know 
something  about  every  member  of  the  Panhellenic  Congress,  shall  be  alile  to 
talk  intelligently  upon  questions  of  general  fraternity  interest,  and  have  a 
general  knowledge  of  the  various  agencies  connected  with  the  educational 
advancement  of  women. 

Since  the  policy  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  on  the  ciuestion  of  extension  is  so 
well  stated  in  the  article  written  on  that  subject  by  Alta  Allen  Loud,  in  The 
Lyre  for  November,  1910,  that  contribution,  with  revision  to  bring  it  up  to 
date,  is  quoted  in  this  connection  : 


150  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

As  we  near  the  completion  of  the  first  thirty-one  years  of  our  existence  as  a 
Greek-letter  Fraternity,  two  questions  present  themselves  to  us.  First,  have  we  justified 
our  right  to  live  and  used  worthily  the  gift  of  Fraternity  bestowed  upon  us  in  1885? 
Second,  have  we  grown  wisely  and  well  and  has  our  policy  of  expansion  been  all  that 
could  be  desired? 

To  answer  the  first  question  would  require  a  thorough  investigation  and  a  heart-to- 
heart  talk  not  at  all  appropriate  to  appear  on  the  pages  of  a  journal  read  by  those  out- 
side our  ranks.  Yet  without  self-glorification,  we  who  know  the  richness  of  the  inner 
life  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  can  sav  to  one  another  that  this  right  has  been  deeply  jus- 
tified. 

To  concern   ourselves   for   a  moment  with   question   two: 

Among  the  older  women's  fraternities,  two  distinct  classes  may  be  found — those  with 
large  chapter  rolls  which  endeavor  to  find  a  place  in  all  the  leading  schools  of  the 
country,  and  a  smaller  number,  characterized  by  a  spirit  of  conservatism,  whose  chapters 
are  found  in  comparatively  few  institutions,  but  these  usually  among  the  best.  Among 
the  younger  fraternities  some  are  following  one  lead,  some  another,  although  the  present 
tendency  seems  to  be  toward  a  pretty  rapid  expansion,  many  apparently  feeling  eager 
to  be  counted   among  the   pioneers. 

Of  our  twenty-three  chapters,  eighteen  are  in  large  universities,  one  in  a  conservatory 
of  music,  and  four  in  denominational  colleges.  In  all  these  institutions  the  Department 
of  Liberal  Arts  is  excellent,  and  with  the  exception  of  possibly  two  universities,  a  good, 
strong  School  of  Music  is  in  direct  affiliation  with  the  institution.  In  these  two  the 
music  departments  are  comparatively  young  and  stress  is  laid  on  the  theoretical  side.  But 
in  these  and  practically  all  other  institutions  in  the  country,  the  need  of  music  is  being 
felt  more  and  more.  Higher  credits  are  given  for  that  work  and  we  'believe  that  in  the 
near  future  our  leading  educators  will  come  to  recognize  the  music  department  of  as 
much  vital  importance  to  the  schools  as  the  departments  of  mathematics,  science,  and 
the  .languages. 

Necessarily,  because  of  our  two-fold  requirements,  our  growth,  in  the  jiast,  has  Iteen 
a  slow  one.  But  for  that  gradual  growth,  we  are  indeed  thankful.  Had  we  granted  all 
the  petitions  for  charters  that  have  come  to  us,  our  chapter  roll  would  be  a  very  long  one. 
Many  requests  for  membership  have  been  refused,  the  majority  never  going  beyond  the 
National  Council. 

Briefly  stated,  our  method  of  extension  work  is  as  follows :  the  extension  Vice- 
president  acts  as  extension  chairman,  keeps  on  file  a  list  of  approved  institutions,  and 
cares  for  all  correspondence  and  necessary  work.  With  her  in  the  work  are  associated  the 
other  members  of  the  National  Council  and  a  large  extension  committee.  If  she  deems 
it  advisable,  petitions,  recommendations,  class  records,  question  blanks,  photographs, 
et  cetera,  go  the  rounds  of  the  Council.  If  further  action  is  desired,  a  national  officer, 
or  someone  selected  bj'  the  Council,  visits  the  petitioners  and  then  reports  either  for  or 
against  them.  If  her  recommendation  be  favorable,  the  matter  is  presented  to  the 
council  members  for  their  vote.  Often  petitioners  are  urged  to  wait,  to  organize  them- 
selves into  a  local,  with  internal  development  as  their  aim.  And  it  is  surprising  to  see 
the  changes  and  improvements  that  occur  in  one  or  two  years  in  a  group  of  earnest 
young  women  banded  together  with  the  definite  purpose  of  securing  a  national  sister- 
hood. 

At  the  close  of  thirty-one  years  of  our  existence,  twenty-three  active  and  twelve 
alumnae  chapters,  and  twenty  alumnte  clubs  are  our  portion.  That  this  growth  has  been 
a  slow,  steady  one  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  during  the  first  ten  years  of  our  life  but  six 
chapters  were  chartered.  Since  1895  seventeen  more  have  been  added,  usually  not  more 
than  one  in  a  year. 

On  the  whole,  we  are  well  content  with  the  progress  made  and  with  our  extension, 
which  to  some  outsiders  and  even  to  some  in  our  own  ranks,  has  seemed  slow.  Internal 
development,  rather  than  a  rapid  extension,  has  been  our  aim,  and  we  are  thankful  for 
the  close,  intimate  relation  that  has  thus  been  possible  between  chapters  and  officers. 
Constitution  and  Ritual  have  been  revised,  ceremonies  added  and  changed,  our  initiatory 
work  amplified,  and  many  perplexing  questions  of  national  and  chapter  policy  'deter- 
mined. Now,  while  by  no  means  satisfied,  we  can  rest  fairly  well  content  with  the 
elimination  of  many  of  the  petty  problems,  and  look  forward  with  eagerness  to  a  struggle 
with   the   larger   questions   of   fraternal    and    Panhellenic    interest. 

The  future  will  bring  us  more  chapters.  We  are  ambitious  for  no  stated  number. 
We  care  naught  for  a  lengthy  chapter  roll,  per  se.  But  wherever  we  shall  find  desirable 
types  of  young  womanhood,  in  institutions   that  meet   our   requirements,  we   shall   gladly 


Government 


151 


consider  them,  believing  in  the  strength  of  union,  and  the  desirability  of  a  well-distributed 
sisterhood.  As  our  anniversary  day  draws  near,  we  feel  very  grateful  to  the  seven 
women  who  made  Alpha  Chi  Omega  possible  for  us,  and  we  desire  to  develop  inwardly 
and  outwardly  so  as  to  express  in  the  noblest  sense  the  realization  of  their  cherished 
ideals.  We  regard  the  gift  of  Fraternity  as  a  sacred  one  and  mean  to  be  unselfish  in 
the  sharing  of  that  gift,  realizing  that  Fraternity  bestows  infinitely  more  upon  any 
individual  or  group,  no  matter  how  worthy,  than  they  can  render  the  Fraternity. 

With  the  development  of  every  part  of  the  Fraternity,  one  sees  distinct 
though  gradual  changes  in  the  administrative  policies.  The  duties  of  mem- 
bers of  the  council  have  increased  tremendously;  the  correspondence  alone 
of  a  council  member  is  equal  to  that  of  a  thriving  business  house.  The 
powers  of  the  body  have  been  increased  also,  and  are  in  every  way  equal  to 
those  of  the  National  Convention,  even  to  the  granting  of  charters  ;  but  it 
may  not  amend  the  constitution.  As  the  administrative  duties  of  the  order 
have  increased  so  greatly,  the  division  of  labor  has  multiplied  remarkably. 
Instead  of  half  a  dozen  women  engaged  in  national  work,  there  are  now  more 
than  one  hundred  and  fifty.  The  personnel  of  the  administrative  force 
changes  less  rapidly  as  the  following  table  illustrates,  even  though  the  burdens 
of  the  officers  are  heavier  than  of  vore : 


National  Officers  of  Three  or  More  Years'  Service 


Vrs.  in 
each 
Office 


Total 

No.Yrs 

Service 


Cowger,  Raeburn,  A  : 

Grand  President,  1898-1900;  1900-02 

Grand  Historian.   1902-05 
Tennant,  Mary  Jones.  A  : 

Inspector,  1905-07;   1907-09;   1909-10 

Grand  Vice-president,   1906-07 
Wilson,  Mary  Janet,  A  : 

President,   1896-97;    1897-98 

Editor  of  Lyre,  1897-98;  1898-1900 
Drake,  Kate  Calkins.  B : 

Grand  President,   1902-05;    1905-07 
Loud,  Alta  Allen,  B  : 

Secretary,  1897-98 

Grand  President,   1907-09;   1909-10;   1912-15; 
1915-17 
Dennis,  Myrta  McKean,  r : 

Grand  Treasurer,  1909-10 

Inspector,   1910-12 
Nafis,  Mabel  Siller,  T: 

Grand  Secretary,    1900-02 

Grand  Historian,  1905-07;    1907-09;   1909-10 
Stanford,  Mary,  V : 

Treasurer,  1891-93 

President.  1893-94 


7 


152 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 


National  Officers  of  Three  or  More  Years'  Service 

Yrs.  in 
each 

Total 

No. Yrs 

(continued) 

Office 

Service 

Fleming,  Gertrude  Ogden,  A  : 

3 

Treasurer,   1896-97;   1897-98;   1898-99 

3 

Harper,  Florence,  A : 

Grand  Treasurer,  1899-1900;   1900-02 

3 

3 

Hayne,  Bertha  Sackett,  A  : 

Grand  Secretary,   1903-05 
Grand  Vice-president,  1905-06 

2 
1 

3 

Kent,  Fay  Barnaby,  A  : 

Grand  Vice-president,  1909-10;   1910-12;   1912-15 
Seiple,  Charlotte  Weber,  A  : 

Vice-president,   1893-94 

Secretary,  1894-96 
Griffin,  Edith  Manchester,  Z : 

6 

1 
2 

6 
3 

6 

Editor  of  Lyre,  1900-02  ;   1902-05  ;   1905-06 

6 

Haseltine,  Florence  Reed,  Z : 

3 

Editor  of  Lyre,  1907-09;   1909-10 

3 

Howe,  Laura,  Z : 

Grand  Treasurer,    1905-07;    1907-09 

4 

4 

Greene,  Virginia  Fiske,  ® : 

Grand  Vice-president,   1902-05 
Grand  Secretary,   1905-06 

Howell,  Marcia  Clark,  ©  : 

3 

1 

4 
3 

Grand  Vice-president,   1907-09 
Grand  Secretary,  1906-07 

2 
1 

Zimmerman,  Lillian,  K : 

5 

Grand  Treasurer,  1912-15 

3 

First  Vice-president,   1915-17 
Armstrong.  Florence  A.,  M : 

Editor  of  Zj7r,  1910-12;  1912-15;  1915-17 

2 

7 

7 

Crann,  Lois  Smith,  M  : 

Inspector,    1912-15;    1915-16    (Jan.) 
Ely,  Birdean  Motter,  O: 

3/2 

3/ 
3 

National  Secretary,  1912-15 

3 

The  tendency  is  toward  the  retaining  of  proved  officers  in  position  for  a 
long  period  of  time.  The  trend  is,  to  an  extraordinary  degree,  on  the  part 
of  all  the  persons  in  positions  of  responsibility,  toward  insistence  that  the 
Fraternity  be  a  more  powerfully  beneficent  force  in  the  practical  experience 
of  individuals ;  that  the  organized  groups  serve  more  widely  the  communities 
in  which  they  live ;  and  that  the  entire  national  organization,  in  all  its 
strength,  its  influence,  and  its  prestige,  be  each  year  of  greater  help  in  the 
attainment  of  the  ideal  conditions  of  life. 


CHAPTER  XII 

NATIONAL  CONVENTIONS 

Alpha  Chi  Omega  Conventions  have  provided  the  means  by  which  the 
Fraternity  has  been  enabled  to  advance,  from  the  time  when  Alpha  Chapter 
sent  its  first  ■  delegates.  Mary  Janet  Wilson  and  Anna  Cowperthwaite,  to 
Albion,  to  hold  an  informal  conference  with  Beta  Chapter  upon  important 
matters  of  mutual  fraternity  interest,  thus  paving  the  way  for  the  first 
National  Convention  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  1891,  when  the  fraternity  family 
consisted  of  three  chapters.  As  our  Conventions  are  studied  from  that  time 
down  to  the  last  convention  of  twenty-one  chapters,  with  its  strict  parlia- 
mentary procedure  and  its  unprecedented  attendance  of  ten  to  every  active 
chapter,  the  realization  deepens  that  were  it  not  for  the  character,  the  loyalty, 
and  the  true  womanliness  of  those  who  composed  the  early  membership  of 
Alpha  Chi  Omega,  the  larger  and  later  development  of  the  Fraternity  would 
have  been  impossible.  It  is,  therefore,  with  respect  and  deepened  interest  that 
attention  is  focused  upon  all  the  conventions  in  the  history  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  and  with  true  perception  that  the  same  enthusiasm,  devotion,  hard 
work,  and  ability  have  characterized  each  one.  and  have  been  as  potential 
factors  in  determining  the  present  success  of  the  Fraternity,  as  they  will  be 
in  moulding  its  future. 

First  National  Convention 

Alpha  Chapter  fittingly  acted  as  hostess  for  the  First  National  Conven- 
tion October  20-23,  1891.  The  homes  of  Anna  Allen  Smith  and  Ethel 
Sutherlin  were  thrown  open  to  the  business  sessions  which  were  conducted 
by  Anna  Cowperthwaite.  Delegates  from  Alpha,  Beta,  and  Gamma  were 
present.  The  business  of  the  first  convention  was  largely  concerning  the 
perfecting  of  the  organization  of  the  Fraternity  and  although  few  were  in 
attendance,  much  of  importance  was  accomplished. 

Alpha  was  chosen  as  Grand  Chapter,  and,  according  to  the  usual 
method  of  fraternitv  government  at  that  time,  final  decisions  were  made  by 
her  between  conventions.  The  chapter  by  which  each  national  oifice  should 
be  held  was  first  selected  and  the  incumbent  for  the  office  then  chosen.  The 
officers  thus  elected  were  : 

General  President,  Ja  Nette  Allen,  B. 

General  Vice-president,   Bertha   Moore,   A. 

General  Corresponding  Secretary,  Jessie  Fox,  A. 

General  Recording  Secretary,  Zannie  Tate,  A. 

General  Treasurer,  Mary  Stanford,  T. 

The  ritual  was  ordered  written  in  a  separate  book  from  the  constitution 
and  other  less  secret  ceremonies.  A  pledging  ceremony  was  formulated ; 
signs  and  syTnbols  were  discussed ;  a  salutation  to  the  chair  was  decided  upon ; 
and,  in  accordance  with  the  custom  of  the  age,  a  "courage  test"  was  adopted. 

The  subject  of  extension  was  as  a  matter  of  course,  an  important  theme 
for   consideration.      The    fields   considered    eligible    for    extension    included 


154 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


the  great  Avomen's  colleges  of  the  East  into  which  no  national  fraternities 
have  entered  and  probably  never  will  enter,  and  also  fields  into  which  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  placed  chapters  at  a  much  later  date.  Wellesley,  Ohio  Wesleyan, 
and  Syracuse  University  were  tentative  propositions.  The  deliberations  of 
the  early  conventions  were  full  of  caution,  so  that,  whereas  chapters  were  not 
established  where  they  might  well  have  been,  but  one  was  established  where 
it  oufirht  not  to  have  been. 


Ja  Nette  Allen  Cushman,  Beta 
General    President,    1891-1893 


The  question  of  publications  which  seldom  concerns  so  youthful  a  frater- 
nity was  taken  up.  seriously.  A  fraternity  magazine  was  planned  for,  to  be 
published  as  soon  as  the  addition  of  two  more  chapters  should  increase  the 
chapter  roll  to  six.  Beta,  it  w^as  planned,  should  issue  this  publication.  A 
songbook  was  definitely  provided  for  by  the  effective  method  of  requiring 
from  each  chapter  four  songs,  set  to  music  (one  to  be  sacred)  to  be  completed 
"before  the  close  of  the  spring  term." 

After  discussion,  nut  cake  was  chosen  as  the  fraternity  cake. 

As  a  regular  convention  register  was  not  employed  until  1908,  the  atten- 
dance lists  of  the  early  conventions  must  necessarily  be  incomplete. 


Nation  A  l  Con  v  k  n  iion  s 


155 


Altcndance 

Delegates — Alpha,  Mildred  Rutledge. 

Beta,  Ja  Nette  Allen,  Lulu  Keller. 
Gamma,  El  Fleda  Coleman. 
Delta,  not  represented. 
Others  Members  Present — Doubtless  all  of  Alpha  active  chapter  of  that 
time  and  their  alumna;  then  living  in  (Ireencastle  were  present. 

The  list  of  the  active  mcmliers  of  Alpha  Chapter  at  the  time  of  the 
1891  Convention  is  as  follows: 

Pearl  Armitage,  Anna  Cowperthwaite,  Jessie  Fox,  Bessie  Latimer,  Laura 
Marsh,  Bertha  Moore.  Carrie  Moore,  Zella  Marshall,  Mildred  Rutledge, 
Daisy  Steele,  and  Janet  Wilson. 

The  resident  alumn;i?  at  tlie  time  were  Anna  Allen  Smith  and  Ella  Best. 

Social  Features 

First  Evening — Informal  party  at  the  home  of  Mary  Janet  Wilson. 

Second  Evening — Convention  attended,  in  a  body,  a  musicale  in  which 
several  Alpha  Chis  took  ^rt,  given  under  direction  of  Dean  Howe. 

The  Convention  was  also  entertained  at  some  of  the  fraternity  halls, 
but  the  records  are  indefinite. 


Second  National  Convention 
The  Second  National  Convention  was  held  in  Albion,  Michigan,  February 
22-24,  1893.     Beta's  fraternity  hall  (then  on  the  top  floor  of  the  Administra- 
tion Building)   was  the  meeting  place. 

It  was  arranged  that  each  chapter 
should  send  to  convention  a  delegate  and 
a  grand  officer,  the  expenses  to  be  met  as 
far  as  possible  from  the  National  Trea- 
sury. The  following  officers  were  elected 
for  the  year  1893-1894: 

( leneral  President,  Mary  Stanford,  F. 

( lencral  Vice-president,  Charlotte 
WebcT.  A. 

( ieneral  Corresponding  Secretary, 
I. aura  Marsh.  A. 

Ccneral  Recording  Secretary,  Eflfa 
Simpson,  B. 

The  constitution  and  initiation  cere- 
monies were  carefully  reviewed  with  sug- 
gestions for  improvements.  The  chair 
authorized  Mayme  Jennings,  A.  Mary 
Stanford.  P.  and  Lulu  Keller,  B.  to  make 
up  forms  of  resignation  and  expulsion  of 
members.  In  case  of  the  death  of  a  mem- 
ber, mourning  was  arranged  to  be  worn 
for  two  weeks  by  the  chaitter  to  which  the  deceased  had  belonged. 


Mary  Sta.nford,  Gamma 

General     Treasurer,     1891-1895 
General     President.     1893-1894 


156  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraterxity 

Extension  was  discussed  with  reference  to  one  of  the  western  state  univer- 
sities and  several  large  eastern  colleges.  It  was  decided  to  "place  chapters  in 
conservatories  of  good  musical  standing  as  well  as  literary"  centers. 

Gamma  Chapter  was  appointed  to  publish  the  first  edition  of  an  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  songbook  in  pamphlet  form. 

For  the  first  type  of  pledge  pin,  "a  very  small  Ivre  stick  pin  with  white 
enamel  chapter  head  on  it."  was  authorized. 

Matters  of  various  interests  were  discussed :  such  as  the  frequency  of 
conventions ;  the  representation  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  at  the  World's  Fair 
in  Chicago,  Mary  Stanford  and  El  Fleda  Coleman  being  instructed  to  make 
plans  therefor ;  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  write  an  account  of  Alpha 
Clii  Omega  for  Baird's  Fraternily  Record  and  for  the  World's  Almanac. 
A  pleasant  interfratemity  courtesy  is  brieiiy  recorded  thus :  "A  piano  lamp, 
the  gift  of  A  T  A's  Epsilon  to  Beta,  was  found  in  the  hall. 

AtteiuMiice 

Delegates — Alpha.  Mrs.  Best.  Mayme  Jennings.  Ida  Steele. 
Beta.  Ethel  Calkins.  Lulu  Keller. 
Gamma.  Mary  Stanford,  El  Fleda  Coleman. 
Delta,  Fern  Pickard,  Virginia  Porter. 
Other  Members  Present — Doubtless  all  of  Beta  active  chapter  of  that  time 
and  their  resident  alumnae  were  present. 

The  active  members  at  the  time  of  the  1893  Convention  were  : 
Ja  Nette  Allen,   Ethel  J.   Calkins.   Clarissa  Dickie,   Gertrude  Fairchild. 
Lulu    Keller,   June   Kirke.    Eusebia   Davidson.    Cora   Harrington.    Florence 
Woodhams,  Effa  Simpson,  and  Glenna  Schantz. 
The  resident  alumnae  were : 

Grace  Brown.  Blanche  Bunday.  Emma  Crittenden.  Belle  Fiske.  Georgiana 
Gale,  Marion  Howlett,  Hattie  Lovejoy.  Kate  Rood.  Maude  Snell.  Daisy 
Snell,  and  Jennie  Worthington. 

Social  Features 

Second  Evening — Musicale  at  the  home  of  Ja  Nette  Allen,  to  Avhich  the 
faculty,  the  Fraternity,  and  other  friends  were  invited. 

Third  Evening — Banquet  at  the  Albion  House.  The  Convention  was 
also  entertained  informally  by  Delta  Tau  Delta  in  their  fraternity  hall. 
Favors:  Pansy  stick  pins  (Pansy — the  Delta  Tau  Delta  flower)  were  pre- 
sented to  the  guests. 

Third  National  Convention 

Evanston,  Illinois,  was  the  scene  of  the  Third  National  Convention, 
February  28  to  March  3,  1894,  Gamma  Chapter  being  hostess,  and  Mary 
Stanford,  r,  chairman. 

Beta  became  in  rotation  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  the  election  of  officers 
resulted  thus : 

General  President,  Charlotte  Weber,  A. 

General  Vice-president,  Mayme  Jennings,  A. 


National  Conventions  157 

General  Treasurer,  Ella  Strong,  r. 

General  Recording  Secretary,  Virginia  Porter,  A. 

General  Corresponding  Secretary,   Irene  Clark,  B. 

The  suggestion  that  the  treasurer  remain  in  the  same  chapter  as  Icmg  as 
possible  was  offered  with  the  intention  of  giving  the  finances  a  settled  basis 
for  growth.  The  motion  carried  that  "the  present  treasurer.  Ella  Strong,  r, 
keep  her  office." 

Special  discussion  was  devoted  to  the  initiation  and  installation  ceremo- 
nies, and  the  system  of  membership  card  files  was  introduced  whereby  personal 
record  of  individual  members  could  be  conveniently  maintained. 

The  new  price  set  for  charters  granted  was  twenty  dollars.  Discussions 
of  desirable  fields  for  extension  resulted  in  the  elimination  of  many  colleges 
because  of  the  fraternity's  insistence  on  good  musical  opportunities  as  well 
as  literary  opportunities  for  study.  A  letter  from  Los  Angeles  was  read 
and  discussed  regarding  a  chapter  at  the  University  of  Southern  California. 

Alpha  was  authorized  to  edit  a  fraternity  journal,  and  (iamma  announced 
the  publication  of  the  new  songbook. 

The  fact  that  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  not  represented  at  the  World's  Fair 
because  of  the  report  that  "none  of  the  fraternities  were"  impels  us  to  compare 
the  lack  of  intercourse  in  those  days  with  the  present  close  relation  of  every 
National  Panhellenic  Congress  fraternity. 

Attendance 

Delegates — Alpha,  Mayme  Jennings.  Laura  jNIarsh.  Minnie  McGill. 
Beta,  Hiattie  I-ovejoy,  Irene  Clark.  Cora  Harrington. 
Gamma,  El  Fleda  Coleman. 
Delta,  Charlotte  Weber.  May  Graham. 
Other  Members  Present — Gamma,  Jeanette  Evans.  Ella  Young,  Athlena 
McCorkle,  Marg-uerite  Bolan,  Florence  Harris,  Carrie  Woods,  Suzanne  Mul- 
ford.  Edith  Jordan.  Fannie  Grafton.  F.lla  Strong.  Blanche  Skiff. 

Social  Features 

Wednesday  Evening — Informal  gathering  at  the  home  of  Miss  Stanford. 
Wednesday  Evening — Reception  and  musicale  at  the  home  of  Miss  Young. 

Fourth   National   Convention 

Delta  Chapter  in  Meadville.  Pennsvlvania.  was  hostess  for  the  Fourth 
National  Convention,  April  8-10,  1896.  The  delegates  convened  in  the 
fraternity  room,  and  the  business  sessions  were  presided  over  by  Margaret 
Barber,  A,  chairman,  and  recorded  by  Lulu  Jolms.  E. 

Epsilon  and  Zeta  had  l)een  installed  in  the  meantime  and  were  repre- 
sented in  the  convention  and  given  their  share  of  responsibilities  in  the 
organization.  The  motion  proffered  that  "Alpha  be  Grand  Cliapter  always" 
is  illustrative  of  the  impossibility  of  legislating  for  eternity  in  the  light  of  the 
fact  that  the  following  convention  superseded  the  Grand  Chapter  system 
of  government  by  creating  a  Grand  Council.  It  was  moved  and  carried  that 
"a  list  of  subjects  to  be  discussed  at  Convention  be  sent  from  each  chapter 


160 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


to  the  General  Secretary  and  that  she  send  a  list  to  the  different  delegates 
before  they  leave  their  chapters  that  they  may  fully  know  the  desires  of 
their  chapters."     Following  is  the  election  of  officers : 

General  President,  Mary  Janet  Wilson.  A. 

General  Recording  Secretary,  Ida  Steele,  A. 

General  Treasurer,  Gertrude  Ogden,  A. 

The  non-musical  cheer  was  improved,  and  in  addition  a  new  musical  yell, 
formulated  by  Gertrude  Rennyson.  Z,  was  adopted.  Both  yells  are  still  in 
popular  use. 

The  convention  laid  plans  for  installing  chapters  in  different  parts  of 
the  country.  This  extension  work  was,  however,  from  necessity,  left  to  indi- 
vidual chapters  to  carry  forward  in  the  absence  of  a  central  governing  body. 
It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  their  really  excellent  plans  "gang  aft 
aglae." 


Zannie  Tate  Osgood 

Secretary,   1891-1893 


Effa  Simpson  Parmenter 
Secretary,   1893-1894 


Ida    Steele    Barrett 
Secretary,    1896-1897 


In  the  minutes  of  this  Fourth  Convention  we  find  "Beta  in  favor  of  having 
a  journal  published  periodically."  Since  the  journal  was  again  insisted  upon, 
the  convention  took  up  the  matter  of  financing  a  magazine,  to  be  called  The 
Lyre.  Alpha  was  given  authority  to  continue  the  work  of  publication  and 
to  decide  upon  the  cover  design  and  form.  The  burdens  of  the  work  were, 
nevertheless,  wisely  shared  by  all  the  chapters,  a  committee  being  "appointed 
in  each  chapter  to  take  charge  of  journal  work,  both  financial  and  literary." 
Gamma  Chapter  was  also  ordered  to  publish  the  second  edition  of  the  song- 
book. 

The  matter  of  fraternity  jewelry  was  investigated  in  all  its  details.  There 
was  even  the  minor  consideration  of  choosing  a  design  for  social  stationerv, 
and  so  a  monogram  was  adopted  "consisting  of  the  Greek  letters  in  center 
at  top  of  page." 


a 


162  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

The  desire  to  substitute  the  l)roader  term  fraternity  for  sorority  in  desig- 
nating the  organization  was,  for  a  time,  thwarted.  The  business  sessions 
closed  with  a  vote  of  thanks  extended  to  the  different  fraternities  for  sending 
flowers  to  the  assembled  convention. 

Attendance 

Delegates — Alpha,  Ida  Steele. 

Beta,  Josephine  Parker. 
Gamma,  Lillian  Siller,  Florence  Harris. 
Delta,  Gertrude  Ogden,  Florence  Harper, 
Epsilon,  Lulu  Johns. 

Zeta,  Barbara  Strickler,  Gertrude  Rennyson. 
Other  Members  Present — Gamma,  Marguerite  Bolan ;  Delta,  Jane  Ogden, 
Susanna  Porter,   Fay  Barnaby,  Anna  Ray,   Flora  Pendleton,   Edith   Moore, 
Sara  Evans,  Helen  Edsall. 

The  active  members  at  the  time  of  the  1896  Convention  were: 
Florence  Moore,  May  Graham,  Fay  Barnaby,  Anna  Ray,  Bertha  Sackett, 
Edith  Roddy,  Carrie  Gaston.  Zella  Howe,  Flora  Eastman,  Susanna  Porter, 
Gertrude  Ogden.  Jane  Ogden,  Adelaide  Wilson,  Mary  Lord,  Flora  Pendle- 
ton, Margaret  Barber,  Bertha  Cribbs,  Helen  Edsall,  Alta  Moyer,  Maud 
Maxwell,  Lois  McMullen. 

The  resident  alumnae  were : 

Sara  Evans,  Lou  Fair,  Virginia  Porter,  Fern  Pickard,  Mrs.  Dick,  Effie 
Sherrod,   Ada   Lenheart,   Evelyn   Bright,   Gertrude   Sackett. 

Social  Features 

Wednesday  Evening — Reception  and  musicale. 
Thursday  Evening — Reception  at  home  of  Mrs.  Walter  Harper. 
Friday  Afternoon — Receptions  by  Kappa  Alpha  Theta  and  Kappa  Kappa 
Gamma  in  their  fraternity  rooms. 

Friday  Evening — Banquet  at  Commercial  Hotel. 

Fifth  National  Convention 

The  delegates  to  the  Fifth  National  Convention  were  the  guests  of  Alpha 
Chapter  in  Greencastle,  Indiana,  March  30-April  2,  1897.  This  time  the 
sessions  were  conducted  in  Alpha's  fraternity  hall,  and  Mary  Janet  Wilson, 
president,  took  the  chair  with  Ja  Nette  Allen  Cushman  as  substitute. 

Promptness  was  urged  upon  the  chapters  in  "responding  to  business 
letters."     Officers  elected  were  : 

General  President  and  Editor  of  Lyre,  Mary  Janet  Wilson,  A. 

General  Secretary,  Alta  Allen,  B. 

General  Treasurer,  Gertrude  Ogden,  A. 

The  convention  placed  the  task  of  selecting  a  secret  motto  in  the  hands 
of  Beta. 

Very  businesslike  arrangements  Avere  made  regarding  payment  on  Novem- 
ber 1,  February  1,  and  May  1  of  national  dues  and  receipts  for  the  same  by  the 
Grand  Treasurer  who   should  henceforth   hold   office   for   two   years.      The 


o 


164  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Lyre  was  financially  strengthened  by  the  enforcement  of  subscription  upon 
all  active  members. 

Here,  too,  the  legislation  was  reversed  which  had  temporarily  allowed  the 
entering  of  a  conservatory  of  "good  musical  standing."  Henceforth,  as 
originally,  chapters  should  be  established  only  in  institutions  where  a  good 
college  and  a  good  conservatory  are  connected. 

The  Fifth  Convention  moved  and  carried  that  "at  least  three  jewels  be 
required  in  the  setting  of  the  pin,"  exception  being  made  "in  the  case  of 
*  *  Deaconesses  who  desire  plain  pins."  Three  official  jewelers  were 
selected,  and  Alpha  was  appointed  to  copyright  the  badge. 

At  this  time  the  word  sorority  in  the  Constitution  was  changed  to  frater- 
nity. Delta  received  orders  to  make  arrangements  for  a  register  of  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  to  be  placed  at  Chautauqua.  Thanks  were  sent  to  Kappa  Kappa 
Gamma  for  the  courtesy  of  flowers  sent  to  the  convention. 

Attendance 

Delegates — Alpha,  Helen  O'Dell,  Mildred  Rutledge. 
Beta,  Alta  Allen,  Ada  Dickie. 
Gamma,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 
Delta,  Susanna  Porter. 
Epsilon  and  Zeta  not  represented. 
Other  Members  Present — Alpha,  Pearl  Shaw,  Raeburn  Cowger,   Myrtle 
Wilder,    Meta  Horner,   Louise   Ullyette,    Helen  Birch,   Anna   Allen   Smith, 
Estelle  Morse,  Alta  De  Vore,  Eva  Osborn,  Lucy  Andrews,  Ida  Steele,  Helen 
Herr,  Alberta  Miller,  Alice  Heaton,  Feme  Wood;  Beta,  Ja  Nette  Allen  Cush- 
man,  Jessie  Cushman. 

Social  Features 

Tuesday  Evening — Lorelei  Club  Concert. 

Wednesday  Afternoon — Musicale  at  Music  Hall. 

Wednesday  Evening — Reception  in  Ladies'  Hall. 

Thursday  Afternoon — Reception  by  Kappa  Alpha  Theta. 

Thursday  Evening — Banquet  at  Mount  Meridian  "Half  Way  House." 

Sixth  National  Convention 

The  Sixth  National  Convention  was  held  with  Beta  Chapter  in  Albion, 
December  1-3,  1898,  delegates  being  present  from  all  the  chapters  except  Eta. 
As  Beta  had  occupied  her  own  lodge  for  three  years,  the  convention  now 
assembled  there.  The  sessions  were  presided  over  by  Ada  Dickie  who 
substituted  for  Mary  Janet  Wilson,  National  President,  and  Ina  Baum 
recorded  the  minutes. 

The  motion  that  conventions  be  held  "every  two  years"  passed  and  has  been 
effective  ever  since.  A  most  important  decision  was  made  "that  the  grand 
officers  compose  the  Grand  Council  and  be  the  governing  body  of  the  frater- 
nity." The  Council,  then,  would  consist  of  "Grant  President,  Grand  Vice- 
president,  Grand  Secretary,  Grand  Treasurer,  Editor  of  Lyre,  and  delegates 
from  chapter  with  whom  next  convention  is  to  be  held."     But  a  later  motion 


166 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


was  passed  "that  there  lie  no  chapter  delegate  in  Grand  Council."     The  elec- 
tion of  Grand  Council  oiificers  then  resulted  as  follows: 

Grand  President,  Raeburn  Cowger,  A. 

Grand  Vice-president,  Winifred  Bartholomew,  ©. 

Grand  Secretary,  Ethel  Eggleston,  Z. 

Grand  Treasurer,  Gertrude  Ogden,  A. 

Editor  of  Lyre,  Mary  Janet  Wilson,  A. 
Hitherto  every  member  had,  wisely,  been  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the 
constitution.     It  was  now  ordered  that  "each  chapter  have  a  typewritten  copy 
of  the  constitution  and  by-laws  which  shall  be  read  once  every  term."     Mock 
initiations  and  courage  tests,  if  used,  were 
ordered  on  different  nights  from  the  for- 
mal initiation  ceremony. 

The  sentiment  toward  honorary  mem- 
bership, which  was,  in  the  early  days  an 
accepted  custom  in  fraternity  circles,  had 
been  very  conservative,  and  at  this  con- 
vention crystallized  into  legislation  that 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  "have  honorary  mem- 
bers of  national  repute  only."  Each 
chapter,  it  was  decided,  might  have 
patronesses,  who  were  "not  to  wear  the 
pin  or  to  have  the  privileges  of  the  chap- 
ter." Associate  members,  too,  were  per- 
mitted them. 

Constructive  measures  were  passed  for 
the  welfare  of  the  fraternity  magazine. 
The  convention  legislated  that  each  chap- 
ter should  "elect  an  associate  editor  who 
will  compose  the  Editorial  Board  of  The 
Lyre ;  Alumnae  and  Exchange  Editors  to 
be  elected  from  the  chapter  in  charge  of  The  Lyre.  The  motion  carried  that 
all  future  Alpha  Chis  be  compelled  to  take  The  Lyre  and  all  members  be 
earnestly  urged  to  subscribe." 

The  chair  appointed  Beta  Chapter  to  decide  on  the  mysteries  of  the  pin, 
subject  to  the  Grand  Council.  Again  the  question  of  nomenclature  for  a 
women's  fraternity  arose  and  "it  was  decided  that  each  chapter  be  allowed  to 
call  itself  either  fraternity  or  sorority." 

Attendance 
Delegates — Alpha,  Raeburn  Cowger, 
Beta,  Ora  Woodworth. 
Gamma,   Ethel   Lillyblade. 
Delta,  Fay  Barnaby. 

Epsilon,  Stella  Chamblin   (Gamma),  Riverside,  Cal. 
Zeta,  Mary  Johnson. 
Eta,  not  represented. 
Theta,  Winifred  Bartholomew. 


Raeburn   Cowger   Obenchain,  Alpha. 
Grand    President.    1898-1902 


VlKCINIA    FlSKE    GkEKN 

Grand  Vice-president,   1902- 1905 
Gertrude  H.  Ogdex 

Grand  Treasurer,    1898-1899 


I. MO  Baker  Bent 
Grand  Secretary,   1907-1908 

Mayme  Jennings  Roberts 

Grand  Vice-president,   1894-1896 
Editor  The  Lyre.   i8q6 
Spicie  Bell  South 

Grand    Vice-president.    1900-190J 


168  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Other  Members   Present — Alpha,   Pearl   Shaw. 

Gamma,  Grace  Richardson,  Theodora  Chaffee,  Beulah  Hough,  Jane 
Hough. 

Theta,  Virginia  Fiske. 

The  active  members  of  Beta  at  the  time  of  the  1898  Convention  were: 

Lina  Baum,  Kate  Calkins,  Ada  Dickie,  Jennie  Dickinson,  Grace  Dislirow, 
Dorothy  Gunnels,  Florence  Hoag,  Susie  Ferine,  Mary  Ferine,  Louise  Sheldon, 
and  Ora  Woodworth. 

The  resident  alumnte  members  were : 

Alta  Allen.  Ja  Nette  Allen,  Nellie  Baum,  Ethel  Calkins,  Irene  Clark, 
Emma  Crittenden,  Clarissa  Dickie,  Fannie  Dissette,  Belle  Fiske,  Georgiana 
Gale.  Elizabeth  Perkins,  Eva  Pratt,  Bessie  Tefft,  and  Jennie  Worthington. 

Social  Features 

Thursday  Evening — Reception  at  the  home  of  Miss  Bauni. 
Friday  Afternoon — Reception  by  Delta  Gamma  in  their  lodge. 
Fridav  Evening — Musicale. 

Saturday  Afternoon — Tea  given  by  Kappa  Alpha  Theta. 
Saturday  Evening — Banquet  in  the  chapter  lodge. 

Seventh  National  Convention 

December  6-9,  1900,  was  the  time  appointed  for  the  assembling  of  the 
Seventh  National  Convention  with  Zeta  Chapter  in  Boston.  Spicie  Belle 
South,  Z,  took  the  chair  in  the  absence  of  Raeburn  Cowger,  A,  National 
President. 

The  following  women  comprised  the  second  National  Council  of  Alpha 
Chi  Omega: 

Grand  President,  Raeburn  Cowger.  A. 

Grand  Vice-president,  Spicie  Belle  South,  Z. 

Grand  Secretary,  Mabel  Siller.  T. 

Grand  Treasurer,  Florence  Harper.  A. 

Editor  of  Lyre,  Edith  Manchester.  A. 

A  change  was  made  in  the  initiation  ceremony  by  the  order  for  robes  to  be 
worn  at  the  service. 

The  Seventh  Convention  arranged  that  two-thirds  of  the  expenses  of  the 
Grand  President  and  Grand  Treasurer  to  the  convention  be  paid  by  the  Grand 
Treasurer.     She  was  also  ordered  to  pay  off  the  debt  of  The  Lyre. 

A  forerunner  of  The  Heraeum  was  introduced  when  the  order  was  issued 
that  "a  private  bulletin,  discussing  matters  that  cannot  be  published  in  The 
Lyre,  be  started  by  Alpha,  circulating  through  all  the  chapters."  Lyre 
legislation  consisted  of  fixing  the  subscription  price  of  the  magazine  at  one 
dollar  per  year,  and  arranging  that  "there  be  a  paid  editor,  the  remuneration 
to  be  decided  by  the  Convention."  A  complete  register  of  all  memliers  was 
ordered  to  be  kept  by  Alpha. 

J.  F.  Newman  presented  a  diamond-shaped  pledge  pin  for  consideration, 
and  it  was  accepted  as  the  authorized  style. 


National  CoxviixnoNS 


169 


Attendance 

President,  Racburn  Cowgcr,  Alpha   (not  present). 

Vice-president,  Winifred  Bartholomew,  Theta   (not  present), 

Secretary,  Elizabeth  Eggleston,  Zeta. 

Treasurer,  Florence  Harper,  Delta  (not  present). 

Editor  of  Lyre^  Mary  Jane  Wilson,  Alpha. 

Delegates — Alpha,  Mary  Wilson. 

Beta,  Kate  Calkins. 

Gamma,  Mabel  Dunn. 

Delta,  Alta  Moyer. 


Florence  E.   Harper,  Delia 

Grand   Treasurer.    1899-1902 


Zeta,  Spicie  Belle  South. 
Theta,  Virginia  Fiske. 
Iota,  Clara  Gere. 
Eta,  not  represented. 
Other  Members  Present — Gamma,    Theodora  Chaflfee. 
The  active  members  at  the  time  of  the  1900  Convention  were: 
Girlie  Bavvden,  Blanche  Best,  Helen  Collin,  Lizzie  Courtney,  Bessie  Chap- 
man, Elizabeth  Eggleston,   Fannie  Heaton,  Estella  Hibbard.   Nelle  Jones, 
Edith    Medara,    Ethel    Middaugh.    Lilly    Mork,    Grace    Phillips.    Elizabeth 
Pittiman,  Pearl  Sherwood,  Spicie  Soutli,  Maidie  Watkin,  and  Laura  Howe. 


National  Conventions  171 

Social  Features 
Wednesday    Evening — Concert    of    Cecilia   Society   at    Symphony    Hall, 

followed  by  supper  in  Zeta's  hall. 
Thursday   Evening — Musical   in   Sleeper   Hall,   followed  by  a  reception 
and  dance  by  the  Sinfonia  Society  of  the  Conservatory. 
Friday  Evening — BaiKjuet  in  the  chapter  hall. 

Eighth  National  Convention 

Since  Theta  and  Iota  were  of  too  recent  establishment  to  be  prepared  for 
the  entertainment  of  a  convention,  Gamma  was  privileged  to  act  as  hostess 
again,  October  29-November  1,  1902,  at  Evanston,  Illinois.  Raeburn  Cowger 
conducted  the  business  sessions  which  were  held  in  the  University  Guild 
Rooms  in  Lunt  Library.     Mabel  Harriet  Siller  was  then  Recording  Secretary. 

The  Grand  Council,  hereafter,  was  ordered  to  meet  in  the  years  alternating 
with  Convention  as  well  as  with  that  assembly.  The  office  of  Historian  was 
an  innovation  to  the  Grand  Council,  and  a  subscription  editor  was  added 
to  The  Lyre  staff.  Officers  elected  for  the  term  from  November,  1902,  to 
January,   1905,  were: 

Grand  President,  Kate  Calkins,  B. 

Grand  Vice-president,  Virginia  Fiske,  0. 

Grand  Secretary,  Alta  Moyer,  A. 

Grand  Treasurer,  Laura  Howe,  Z. 

Grand  Historian,  Raeburn  Cowger,  A. 

Editor  of  The  Lyre,  Edith  Manchester,  A. 

Under  this  heading  several  momentous  changes  were  made  at  the  Eighth 
Convention.  In  the  minutes  of  these  sessions  a  few  important  reports  of 
committees  and  officers  were  given  in  full.  Thus  the  present  wise  method 
follqwed  in  The  Heraeum  was  antedated  in  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  A  list  of 
examination  questions  for  pledged  members  before  initiation  was  made  out 
and  accepted.  This  list  appears  above  in  the  account  of  the  development  of 
the  examination  system  in  the  chapter  on  government.  For  the  initiated 
active  members  there  was  to  be  an  annual  examination  upon  the  constitution 
and  vital  matters  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  the  questions  to  be  sent  by  the  Grand 
Council  upon  request  of  the  chapters  and  the  answers  to  be  submitted  to  the 
Grand  Council.  Reports  of  the  examination  grades  were  to  be  pul)lished  in 
The  Lyre.  The  Grand  Council  should  hereafter  issue  a  certificate  of  mem- 
bership signed  by  the  President  and  Secretary  and  by  the  local  President  and 
Secretary,  each  member  to  pay  for  her  own  card.  An  annual  report  from 
each  chapter  was  required  upon  a  uniform  blank  provided  by  the  Council. 
Yet  the  most  significant  step  was  taken  when,  in  order  to  enable  chapters 
to  invite  students  without  requiring  them  to  carry  a  course  in  music,  the 
important  decision  was  made  that  Alpha  Chi  Omega  should  call  herself  a 
musical-literary  fraternity,  and  that  both  musical  and  literary  members  be 
required  to  have  full  freshman  standing  before  they  should  be  eligible  to 
membership. 


172  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

A  move  toward  the  systematizing  of  extension  work  was  the  appointment 
of  "a  committee  on  new  chapters,"  composed  of  Kate  Stanford,  A,  Marcia 
Clark.  0,  and  Mabel  Dmm,  r.  In  the  future  alumnae  chapters  as  well  as 
active  chapters  might  be  chartered  and  conducted  under  definite  organization. 

The  finances  of  the  National  Trea.sury  were  now  in  a  sufficiently  pros- 
perous condition  to  warrant  the  decision  to  contribute  a  fixed  sum  annually 
toward  the  running  expenses  of  The  Lyre ;  and  thus  The  Lyre  became  still 
more  secure  financially,  a  condition  wdthout  which  it  must  have  been  unsuc- 
cessful literarily.     A  new  edition  of  the  songbook  was  ordered  published. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Intersorority  Convention  had  occurred  five 
months  before,  but  through  a  mistake  Alpha  Chi  Omega  had  not  been  repre- 
sented therein.  The  date  of  the  second  session  of  this  progressive  body  was 
set  for  the  following  May  (1903),  and  so  Alpha  Chi  Omega  now  elected  Miss 
Mabel  Siller,  r,  as  its  delegate. 

Thanks  were  extended  by  convention  vote  to  the  University  Guild,  the 
Dean  of  Women,  the  Dean  of  Music,  for  courtesies  extended ;  to  Kappa 
Alpha  Theta  and  to  Kappa  Kappa  Gamma  for  hospitality;  and  to  Alpha 
Phi,  Delta  Delta  Delta,  and  Delta  Gamma  for  flowers  sent  to  the  convention. 

'    '  Attendance 

Grand  President — Raeburn  Cowger. 
Grand  Vice-president — Spicie  Belle  South. 
Grand  Secretary — Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 
Grand  Treasurer — Florence  Harper. 
Editor  of  Lyre — Edith  Manchester. 

Delegates — Alpha,  Kate  Stanford,  Grace  Guller,  Sara  Neal. 
Beta,  Nella  Ramsdell. 
Gamma.  Carrie  Holbrook. 
Delta,  Anna  Ray,  Florence  Harper. 
Zeta,  Edith  Manchester. 
Theta,  Marcia  Clark. 
Iota,  Imo  Baker,  Lillian  Heath. 
Other  Members  Present — Beta,  Mary  Dickie,  Mary  Perine,  Lina  Baum, 
Lida  Hardy;  Gamma,  Mrs.  George  Coe,  Mary  Stanford,  Lizzie  Stine  Richie, 
Louise  Atwood,  Christine  Atwood,  Theodora  Chaffee,   Grace  Ericson,  Cor- 
delia  Hanson,    Emma   Hanson,    Ruth    Inglis,    Irene   Stevens,    Valeria   Tyre 
Kindig,    Florence   Harris,    Mabel    Dunn,    Marion   Ewell,    Ida   Pratt,    Grace 
Richardson,  Elizabeth  Scales,  Katherine  Scales,  Cora  Seegars,  Leona  Wemple, 
Ella    Young,    Lillian    Siller    WyckofT.     Mabel    Jones,     Frances    Meredith, 
Marie  White,  Marion  Titus,  Mary  Marshall,  Julia  Marshall,  Mary  Master. 
Zeta,  Spicie  Belle  South,  Laura  Howe,  Hettie  Elliot. 
Theta,  Faith  Butler,  Arline  Valette. 

Iota,  Clara  Gere,  Charlotte  Draper,  Mary  Busey,  Bess  Stevenson,  Clara 
Fisher. 


o 


174 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


Social  Features 

Wednesda}^  Afternoon — Receptions  by  Kappa  Alpha  Theta  and  by  Kappa 
Kappa  Gamma. 

Wednesday  Evening — Musicale  in  Music  Hall,  followed  by  a  reception 
to  meet  faculty  and  students. 

Thursday  Evening — Dance  at  the  Evanston  Boat  Club. 

Friday  Afternoon — Thomas  Orchestra  Concert  at  the  Auditorium,  Chi- 
cago. 

Friday  Evening — Halloween  supper  at  the  home  of  Grace  Richardson. 

Saturday  Afternoon — Reception  by  Gamma  Phi  Beta. 

Saturday  Evening — Banquet  at  the  Auditorium  Annex,  Chicago. 

Ninth  National  Convention 

On  November  2-4,  1904,  Delta  entertained  the  convention  assembly  for 
the  second  time.  The  meetings  of  this  Ninth  Convention,  held  in  Delta's 
Fraternity  Hall,  were  conducted  by  Kate  Calkins,  Grand  President. 

Another  significant  office  in  the  Grand  Council  was  created,  that  of 
Inspector.  The  chief  duties  of  the  incumbent  were  to  visit  each  chapter  once 
in  two  years,  and  to  act  as  official  delegate  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  the  Inter- 
scrority  Conference.     Arrangements  were  made  for  official  delegates  to  repre- 


Mabel   Dun.v    Madson,   Gamma 

Grand  Historian.    1905 


National  Coxventions  175 

sent  the  alumna;  chapters  at  conventions.    Tlic  following  officers  were  elected : 

Grand  President,  Kate  Calkins,  B. 

Grand  Vice-president,  Bertha  Sackett,  A. 

Grand  Secretary,  Virginia  Fiske,  ©. 

Grand  Treasurer,  Laura  Howe,  Z. 

Editor  of  Lyre,  Edith  Manchester  Griffin,  Z. 

Grand   Inspector,   Mary  Jones  Tennant,  A. 

Grand  Historian,  Mabel  Dunn  Madson,  F. 

Subscription  Editor  of  Lyre,  Mabel  Gere,  I. 

The  Convention  appointed  the  Grand  Council  as  a  committte  to  revise  the 
Bond,  Constitution,  and  Ritual.  It  was  decided  that  the  constitution  should 
be  public  and  the  ritual  secret.  As  a  precautionary  measure,  identification 
blanks  Avere  adopted  for  those  who  desired  to  procure  badges. 

The  motions  carried  that  the  fee  for  alumnae  chapters  and  the  expenses 
of  delegates  to  Convention  be  paid. 

Lyre  legislation  took  place  to  the  effect  that  "active  chapters  send  in  sub- 
scriptions to  The  Lyre  from  alumna'  members  amounting  in  number  to  one- 
fourth  the  alumnae  of  the  chapter." 

Consideration  of  the  subject  of  an  account  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  Baird's 
edition  of  American  College  Fraternities  resulted  in  appointing  a  representa- 
tive who  should  "be  sent  to  interview  Baird  with  regard  to  his  manual." 

Delegates — Grand  Council,  Laura  Howe. 
Alpha,  Adah  McCoy. 
Beta,  Jessie  Blanchard. 
Gamma,  Frances  Meredith. 
Delta,  Clara  Lord. 
Zeta,  Blanche  Crafts. 
Theta,  Florence  Bobb. 
Iota,  Ola  Wyeth. 
Kappa.  Edna  Swenson. 

Other  Members  Present — Beta.  Nella  Ramsdell,  Margaret  Mosher, 
Kathryn  Granger. 

The  active  members  at  the  time  of  the  1904  Convention  were: 

Clara  Lord,  Millicent  Moore,  Alice  McDowell,  Vesta  Leet,  Mary  Gibson, 
Mae  SteiTner,  Lydia  Davenport,  Florence  Moore,  Maude  Miller,  Amy  Lusk, 
Ethel  Moore.  Ruby  Marsh,  Jess  Crissman,  Frances  Harper,  Ruth  Swann, 
and  Mrs.  Ensign.  - 

The  alumnae  members  were : 

Anna  Ray,  Florence  Harper.  May  Ciraham,  Mrs.  Irwin,  Edith  Roddy, 
Mary  Roberts,  and  Agnes  Church. 

Social  Features 
Wednesday  Afternoon — Reception   by    President   and    Mrs.    Crawford   at 
their  home. 

Wednesday  I'Lvening — Musicale  at  the  College  of  Music. 

Thursday  Afternoon — Reception  by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Flood  at  their  home. 


u 


National  Conventions  177 

Thursday  Evening — Reception  at  the  home  of  Miss  Harper. 
Friday  Afternoon — Receptions  by  two  Sororities. 
Friday   Evening — Banquet  at   Saegertown    Inn. 

Tenth  National  Convention 

Representing  the  nine  active  and  two  alumna-  chapters,  every  delegate  was 
present  at  the  Tenth  National  Convention,  November  1-3,  1906.  Alpha,  for 
the  third  time  hostess,  welcomed  the  visitors  to  her  chapter  house  in  Green- 
castle. 

The  important  work  of  selecting  a  Grand  Council  of  willing  workers 
resulted  thus: 

Grand  President,  Mrs.  Edward  R.  Loud,  B. 

Grand  Vice-president,  Mrs.  Robert  B.  Howell,  0. 

Grand  Secretary,  Imo  E.  Baker,  I. 

Grand  Treasurer,  Laura  A.  Howe,  Z. 

Editor  of  Lyre,  Mrs.  William  Wade,  A. 

Grand  Historian,  Mabel  H.   Siller,  V. 

Grand  Inspector,  Mrs.  Richard  Tennant,  A. 

The  work  of  revision  of  the  Bond,  Ritual,  and  Ctjnstitution,  carried  on  by 
the  Grand  Council  Committee,  was  accepted.  In  order  that  it  should  be 
necessary  for  the  chapters  with  the  liberal  arts  members  in  the  ascendant  to 
limit  a  part  of  their  membership,  to  students  carrying  some  musical  courses, 
the  following  article  of  the  constitution  was  adopted : 

"Any  person  of  good  character  having  finished  a  course  in  a  secondary 
school,  who  is  taking  a  regular  course  in  music;  *  *  in  fine  arts  or  in 
liberal  arts  *  *  (not  to  exceed  ZZY/t)  ',  wdio  is  carrving  *  *  twelve 
hours  of  work  and  has  had  the  equivalent  of  regular  freshman  music  work ; 
any  person  who  is  taking  twelve  hours  work,  three  of  which  are  in  regular 
music  courses;  may  be  initiated  into  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternitv." 

The  system  of  (Jrand  Council  expense  was  much  improved. 

An  Assistant  Editor  for  The  Lyre  was  appointed  and  it  was  ordered  that 
"each  chapter  be  fined  one  dollar  a  week  for  every  week  that  her  material  for 
The  Lyre  is  overdue."  Had  the  inconvenience  of  tardy  material  been  as 
significant  to  the  convention  assembly  as  to  the  editor  and  printer,  the 
motion  might  have  read,  "ten  dollars  a  day  1" 

The  convention  adopted  a  uniform  die  for  the  l)adge  and  asked  tlie 
Grand  Council  "to  look  into  the  matter  of  liaving  a  crest  designed  for  the 
use  of  the  fraternity." 

The  report  of  the  fifth  Intersorority  Conference  was  made  bv  the  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  delegate,  the  Inspector,  Mrs.  Richard  Tennant,  and  will  be  noted 
in  the  section  of  this  book  devoted  to  the  Panhellenic  movement. 

Notes  of  appreciation  were  ordered  sent  to  Dr.  Hughes,  Mr.  Black,  and 
other  members  of  the  faculty,  and  to  other  fraternities  for  courtesies  shown 
during  the  convention. 


National  Conventions  179 

Attcnuiance 

Grand  President,  Kate  Calkins. 

Grand  Secretary,  Marcia  Clark  Howell  (not  present). 

Grand  Treasurer,  Laura  Howe. 

Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tcnnant. 

Grand  Historian,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 

Editor  of  Lyre,  Elma  Patton  Wade. 

Delegates — Grand  Council,  Laura  Howe. 

Alpha,  Edna  Walters,  Maude  Meserve. 
Beta,  Lulu  Babcock,  Mildred  Sherk. 
Gamma,  Romaine  Hardcastle. 
Delta,  Olge  Henry. 

Epsilon,  Mrs.  Louise  Davis  Van  Cleve. 
Zeta,  Winifred  Byrd. 
Theta,    Edith    Steffner. 
Iota,  Jessie  Mann,  Kate  Busey. 
Kappa,  Hazel  Alford. 

Alpha  Alpha,  Mrs.  Myrta  McKean  Dennis. 
Beta  Beta,  Alta  Roberts. 
Other  Members  Present — Alpha,  Mildred  Rutledge,  Bertha  Miller  Ruick, 
Minnie  M.  Hoskins,  Shellie  Smith,  Ada  McCoy. 

The  active  members  at  the  time  of  the  1906  Convention  were : 
Mayme  Winans,  Sadie  Machlan,  Sylvia  Christley,  Maude  Meserve,  Edna 
Hamilton,  Bernice  Caldwell.  Mary  Carter,  Mayme  Guild,  Fay  Newlin,  Ethel 
Starr,  Pearl  Fuller,  Edna  Walters,  Lora  Canady,  Lilla  Vermilya,  Shellie 
Smith,  Bess  Price,  Ava  Guild.  Ada  Beeler,  Catherine  Elfers,  Marie  Wood, 
and  Varinda  Rainier. 

The  alumnae  living  in  Greencastle  in  1906  were: 

Anna  Allen  Smith,  Ella  Curtis  Hughes,  Marie  Hirt  Watson,  Sa^ah  Hirt, 
Wilhelmina  Lank,  Elizabeth  Lockridge.  Helen  Birch,  Emma  Miller,  Clara 
Smith,  and  Janet  Wilson. 
Gamma,  Rachel  Williams. 
Iota,  Mamie  Lewis. 

Social  Features 

Wednesday  Evening — Concert  at  Meharry  Hall. 

Thursday  Evening — Reception  at  the  chapter  house. 

Friday  Morning — Chapel  Service. 

Friday  Noon — Luncheon  at  the  College  Inn. 

Friday  Afternoon — Musical. 

Friday  Evening — Banquet  at  Florence  Hall. 

Eleventh  Naiional  Convention 

Certain  legislative  bodies  stand  out  conspicuously  as  the  scenes  wherein 
momentous    strides    of    progress    have    been  accomplished.      The    Eleventh 


180 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


National  Convention  wa^  one  of  these  for  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  The  sessions, 
held  in  lota's  chapter  house  in  Champaign,  Illinois,  November  26-30,  1908, 
were  presided  over  by  Alta  Allen  Loud,  Grand  President,  with  conscientious 
parliamentary  observance  so  that  much  of  importance  was  covered  in  short 
time.  There  were  present  delegates  from  fourteen  active  and  three  alumnae 
chapters. 


Helen   Wright 
Grand  Secretary,   1908 


Laura   A.    Howe 

Business    ]Manager    The    Lyre, 

1907-1909 

Grand  Treasurer,   190S-1909 


Mary   Jones   Tennant 

Inspector,    1905-1910 


Among  matters  pertaining  to  government  were  the  following  discussions 
and  decisions :  Past  Grand  Presidents  were  to  be  allowed  a  vote  in  Grand 
Chapter  meeting;  "whenever  expulsion  of  a  member  from  the  fraternity  is 
recommended  by  the  chapter  involved,"  the  matter  was  to  be  left  to  the 
Grand  Council  for  action ;  recommendations  from  the  Chapter  House  com- 
mittee for  the  regulation  of  the  life  of  chapter  houses  were  submitted  to  those 
chapters  concerned.  The  election  of  officers  was  conducted  for  the  first  time 
by  the  successful  method  of  a  nominating  committee. 

Grand  President,  Mrs.  Edward  R.  Loud,  B. 

Grand  Vice-president,  Mrs.  H.  M.  Kent,  A. 

Grand  Secretary,  Mrs.  Elmer  Soule,  I. 

Grand  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Ralph  Dennis,  T. 

Editor  of  Lyre,  Mrs.  William  E.  Haseltine,  Z. 

Grand  Historian,  Mabel  H.  Siller,  r. 

Grand  Inspector,  Kate  Calkins,  B. 

Still  more  numerous  were  the  important  improvements  and  additions  in 
connection  with  the  traditions,  ceremonies,  and  constitution.  Most  note- 
worthy was  the  legislation  in  which  the  percentage  of  possible  liberal  arts 
members  not  studying  music  nor  having  a  musical  education  equivalent  to 
qualify  for  freshman  music  courses  w^as  increased  to  fifty  per  cent.  This 
action  recognized  by  legislation  what  most  of  the  chapters  themselves  had 


182  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

long  recognized;  namely,  that  the  strength  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  lay  primarily 
and  necessarily  in  the  liberal  arts  departments  of  the  colleges  rather  than  in 
the  fine  arts  departments.  Thus,  by  constitutional  action,  was  established  the 
ascendancy  of  the  liberal  arts  over  the  fine  arts  in  numbers,  an  ascendaaicy 
which  had  from  early  days  been  evident  in  a  majority  of  the  nine  chapters 
represented.  It  was  "made  a  constitutional  requirement  for  the  Inspector  to 
secure  an  official  report  on  the  individual  scholarship  of  each  chapter  annually, 
by  March  1,  and  that  chapter  scholarship  reports  be  secured  at  least  each 
semester."  A  system  of  graded  fraternity  examinations  was  suggested  and 
adopted  in  the  following  order :  preentrance,  first,  second,  and  third  year. 
Each  chapter  was  ordered  to  keep  a  card-index  directory  and  rollbook.  The 
Grand  Historian  received  instructions  to  prepare  an  Alumnae  Letter,  the 
expense  of  the  same  to  be  met  by  a  chapter  tax.  A  new  chapter  office  was 
created,  an  Alumnse  Adviser,  who  should  be  elected  by  each  chapter  to 
look  after  its  interests  and  to  conduct  the  fraternity  examinations.  Conven- 
tion credentials,  report  blanks,  affiliation  certificates,  and  a  secret  motto  were 
adopted,  and  Custodians  for  the  Badge  and  the  Songbook  were  appointed. 
The  holly  tree  was  chosen  as  the  fraternity  tree.  Colors  were  ordered  to  be 
worn  on  such  occasions  as  the  installation  of  a  new  chapter,  initiation. 
Founders'  Day,  and  the  chapter  anniversary. 

The  entire  railroad  expense  of  the  Grand  Council  to  Grand  Chapter  and 
Grand  Council  meetings  was  ordered  paid  from  the  Grand  Treasury. 

Lyre  reports  showed  excellent  financial  and  literary  condition.  It  was 
made  a  constitutional  requirement  that  any  chapter  failing  to  send  chapter 
letter  to  The  Lyre  be  fined  therefor ;  and  that  each  active  chapter  "send 
annually  to  Editor  of  The  Lyre  the  plate  for  group  chapter  picture  to 
go  in  Lyre."  The  Editor  of  The  Lyre  was  voted  a  salary,  and  was  given 
the  privilege  of  choosing  her  assistants.  Instead  of  making  each  chapter 
responsible  for  twenty-five  per  cent  of  its  alumnae  Lyre  subscriptions,  the 
convention  passed  the  requirement  that  each  prospective  member  of  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  pay  upon  initiation  a  five-year  subscription  in  advance.  Provi- 
sion was  made  for  the  compiling  of  the  first  edition  of  a  History  of  the  Fra- 
ternity. 

Thanks  were  voted  to  the  official  jewelers  for  gifts;  to  Dr.  Moore  and 
to  the  alumnae  of  Iota;  to  Kappa  Kappa  Gamma,  Delta  Gamma,  Pi  Beta 
Phi,  Chi  Omega,  and  other  fraternities  who  had  extended  courtesies  during 
the  convention. 

Attendance 
President,  Alta  Allen  Loud. 
Secretary,  Helen  Wright. 
Treasurer,  Laura  Howe. 
Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tennant. 
Historian,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 
Editor  of  Lyre,  Florence  Reed  Haseltine. 
Delegates — Alpha,  Edna  Walters,  Mayme  Guild. 

Beta,  Florence  Fall,  Edna  Newcomer. 

Gamma,  Myrtle  Jensen,  Alice  Watson. 


National  Cuxventioxs  183 

Delta,  Louise  Chase. 
Epsilon,  Katherine  Asher. 
Zeta,  Evangeline  Bridge. 
Theta,  Irene  Connell. 
Iota,  Ruth  Buff  urn. 
Kappa,  Marguerite  Bower. 
Lambda,  Martha  Lee. 
Mu,  Ethel  McFadon. 
Nu,  Flora  Goldsworthy. 
Xi,  Lilah  David. 

Omicron,  Stella  Morton,  Grace  Davenport. 
Alpha  Alpha,  Cordelia  Hanson,  Kate  Calkins. 
Beta  Beta,  Helen  Dalrymple  Francis. 
Gamma  (jamma,  Virginia  Fiske  Green. 
Delta  Delta,  not  represented. 
Other  Members  Present — Alpha,  Maude  Rose,  Grace  Cruller,  Katherine 
Stanford,   Nellie   Dobbins   Dresser,   Elsie   Patton,    Fav   Newlin. 

Beta.  Ethel  Lovell,  Jessie  Blanchard  Flinn,  Ada  Dickie  Hamblen, 
Jennie  Worthington,  Mary  Perine,  Cleora  Miller,  Bessie  Shanley. 

Gamma,    Rachel    Williams,    Esther    Hinman,    Relda   Van    Riper,    Ruth 
Birge,   Etta   Brothers,   Helen   Baird,    Nathalie   Thompson.    Florence    Kelly- 
Winifred  Webster,   Carrie   Patton.   Florence   Harris   Kuhl.    Lucile   Morgan. 
Zeta,  Sarah  Morton. 

Iota,  Grace  Ewing,  Susan  Reed,  Jessie  Mann,  Alta  Chipps,  Gladys 
Breckenridge,  Rachel  Jarrold,  Elizabeth  Swarthout,  Pearl  Swanberg,  Marie 
Seebach.  Mabel  Stone,  Elizabeth  Wyeth,  Ruth  Kimball,  Bertha  Walters, 
Gladys  Meserve,  Mabel  Bushong,  Lucy  Lewis,  Mary  Barker,  Pearl  Shipley. 
Elizabeth  Rose,  Kate  Busey,  Fay  Le  Neve,  Ruth  Rheinhardt.  Rhoda  Rhein- 
hardt.  Sarah  Bryan,  Blanche  Breckenridge,  Cora  Von  Galder,  Charlotte  Baker, 
Harriet  Garnett,  Effie  Wehrman,  Mabel  Chester,  Ola  Wyeth,  May  Brecken- 
ridge, Imo  Baker,  Mary  Goss,  Mary  Busey  Jutton,  Jessie  Freeman  Campbell, 
Irene  Burrill,  Lela  Barnard,  Julia  Hess,  Mrs.  Eunice  Daniels,  Mabel  Haines, 
Helen  Bryan,  Clara  Gere  Huckins,  Ina  Gregg  Thomas,  Percie  Garnett.  Mrs. 
Kinley. 

Kappa,  Alice  Alford.  Margaret  H'Doul)ler.  Mary  Cole,  Alma  Slater, 
Lillian  Zimmerman. 

Nu,  Bertha  Howard. 
Xi,  Harriet  Bardwell. 
Omicron.  Edith  Bideau,  Grace  Davenport. 

Alpha  Alpha.  Lillian  Siller  Wyckoft'  ('(iamma).  Myrta  McKean  Dennis 
( Gamma ) . 

Beta  Beta,  Susan  Perine   (Beta). 

Social  Features 

Wednesday  Evening — Informal  gathering  of  Alpha  Chis  at  chapter  house 
Thursdav  Afternoon — Tea  at  home  of  Imo  Baker. 


184  The  History  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Thursday  Evening — Reception  and  dance  at  College  Hall. 
Friday   Afternoon — Model   initiation   at   chapter   house. 
Friday  Evening — Musical  at  Morrow  Hall. 
Saturday  Afternoon — Tea  at  the  home  of  Mrs.   Kauffman. 
Saturday    Evening — Banquet    at    Beardsley    Hotel. 

Twelfth  National  Convention 

The  Twelfth  Biennial  Convention  of  Alpha  Chi  Ome_ga  was  invited  to 
meet  with  Theta  Chapter  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  in  the  year  of  1910,  but 
since  faculty  legislation  did  not  allow  conventions  to  assemble  at  any  time  dur- 
ing the  college  year,  and  fraternities  did  not  follow  the  custom  of  offering  their 
houses  in  vacation,  and  no  other  places  among  the  homes  of  the  chapter  were 
available,  it  was  unanimously  decided  to  hold  a  summer  convention  in 
Detroit.  Accordingly,  on  the  twenty-ninth  of  August,  1910,  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter assembled  at  the  Hotel  Tuller  in  that  city  for  a  period  of  live  days, 
Theta  and  Epsilon  Epsilon  acting  as  joint  hostesses. 

During  that  time  the  sessions  were  held  in  the  assembly  halls  of  the 
hotel,  which  remained  throughout  the  convention  the  headquarters  of  the 
Grand  Council,  all  delegates  and  many  visitors.  The  success  of  this  con- 
vention demonstrated  the  advisability  of  summer  gatherings,  and  the  matter 
of  arranging  for  the  Thirteenth  Biennial  Grand  Chapter  was  therefore  placed 
in  the  hands  of  an  investigating  committee  within  the  Grand  Council. 
While  not  obliged  to  enact  as  important  legislation  as  its  predecessor,  the 
Twelfth  Grand  Chapter,  guided  by  Alta  Allen  Loud,  Grand  President, 
successfully  dispatched  its  program  of  business  and  added  many  essential 
features  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  Fraternity. 

The  most  interesting,  as  well  as  important,  matter  of  this  convention, 
was  the  unanimous  adoption  of  the  beautiful  initiation  ceremony,  presented 
by  the  Committee,  Fay  Barnaby  Kent,  Nella  Ramsdell  Fall,  and  Virginia 
Fiske  Green,  with  the  assistance  of  Theta  and  Beta  Chapters.  The  Fra- 
ternity was  also  made  richer  by  the  acquisition  of  Hera  as  Patron  goddess, 
an  official  flag,  and  the  revised  open  motto,  "Together  let  us  seek  the  heights," 
a  new  charter  form,  new  membership  certificates,  identification  blanks  for 
the  purchase  of  badges,  an  honor  pin  for  ex- Grand  Officers,  and  instructions 
and  model  pages  for  chapter  officers'  work. 

For  the  first  time  the  Grand  Chapter  discussed  the  question  of  the 
establishment  of  a  Scholarship  Fund,  to  supplement  the  one  of  the  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  Studio,  which  was  reported  practically  finished;  the  matter 
was  placed  in  charge  of  a  committee,  as  were  many  other  movements  of 
present  and  future  interest.  The  subject  of  extension  received  its  usual 
amount  of  interested  attention.  But  one  out  of  several  petitioning  groups 
was  granted  a  charter,  and  this  conditionally  on  a  still  further  personal 
investigation  by  the  Grand  Council.  To  handle  this  large  and  important 
subject  of  extension  properly,  and  to  assist  the  Vice-president,  a  committee 
was  appointed  representing  the  various  sections  of  the  country.  Another 
important  feature  of  this  Grand  Chapter  was  the  unanimous  vote  to  grant 


^^ 


186  The  History  of  Alpha   Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

limited  legislative  power  to  the   National   Panhellenic  and  the  decision  to 
go  on  record  as  favoring  sophomore  pledging. 

Attendance 
President,  Alta  Allen  Loud. 
Vice-president,  Fay  Barnaby  Kent. 
Secretary,  Frank  Busey  Soule. 
Treasurer,  Myrta  McKean  Dennis. 
Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tennant. 
Historian,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 
Editor  of  Lyre,  Florence  Reed  Haseltine. 
Delegates — Alpha,  Harriet  Lessig. 
Beta,  Susie  Newcomer. 
Gamma,  Esther  Semans. 

Delta,  Wilhelmina  Anderson,  Ruth  Dorworth. 
Epsilon,  Anne  Shepard. 
Zeta,  Annie  May  Cook. 
Theta,  Katherine  Anderson. 
Iota,  Lucy  Lewis. 
Kappa,  Hazel  Peterson. 
Lambda,    Myra  Jones. 
Mu,  Myrtle  Schimelfenig. 
Nu,  Ethel  Brown. 
Xi,  Verna  Hyder. 
Omicron,  Beulah  Kinzer. 
Pi,  Fay  Frisbie. 
Alpha  Alpha,  Mary  Vose. 
Beta  Beta,  Mrs.  Elma  Patton  Wade. 
Gamma  Gamma,  Mrs.  Nella  Ramsdell  Fall. 
Epsilon  Epsilon,  Etta  Mae  Tinker. 
Delta  Delta  and  Zeta  Zeta  not  represented. 
Other  Members  Present — Alpha,  Estelle  Leonard,  Frances  Bryson,  Lois 
Nagle,  Vera  Trittipoe,  Georgia  Harris. 

Beta,  Jeanette  Freeman,  Mildred  Koonsman,  Florence  Fall,  Augusta 
Eveland,  Millie  Fox,  Beulah  Taylor,  Juliet  Comstock,  Marjorie  Griffin, 
Gladys  Griffin,  Mabel  Doty,  Margaret  Mosher,  Kathryn  Granger,  Alta 
TresCj  Madge  Wilcox,  Mildred  Sherk,  Josephine  Parker  Moore,  Katherine 
Roode  Goldsberry,  Mary  Mitchell,  Cora  Harrington,  Clarissa  Dickie  Stewart, 
Daisie  Newcomer,   Edna  Newcomer,   Bessie  Shanley,  Alida  Handy. 

Gamma,  Helen  Hardie,  Grace  Mitchell,  Mary  Alice  Rice,  Winifred 
Webster,  Lucile  Morgan. 

Delta,  Mrs.  Juvia  O.  Hull,  Nella  White  Gamble,  Louise  Lord,  Julia 
Jones,  Edith  Burchard,  Marjorie  Fowler. 

Zeta,  Barbara  Bates,  Edna  Boicourt,  Hazel  Wing.  Edna  Whitehouse, 
Leila  Preston. 

Theta,  Maude  Staiger,  Jessie  Paterson,  Hazel  Carter.  Vera  Fox,  Donna 
Savage,  Nell  Gallagher,  Hazel  Henderson,  Mary  Hyde,  Helen  Keys,   Mrs. 


National  Conventions  187 

Josephine  Murfin,  Mabel  Renwick,  Persis  Goeschel,  Alice  Yaple,  Flora 
Koch  Nichols,  Alice  McGregor,  Edith  Steffener  Stanka,  Frances  Hamilton, 
Julia  Halleck,  Louise  Van  Voorhis,  Jane  Harris,  Nell  Schuyler,  Emma  Free- 
man (pledge),  Mrs.  Alberta  Daniel  \'utzy.  VAma.  Schenk,  Mrs.  Mabel  Rob- 
bins  Sink,  Mrs.  James  Henderson. 

Iota,  Mary  Barker,  Llora  Withers,  Ida  Mack,  Blanche  Breckenridge. 

Kappa,  Else  Laudeck,  Ann  Kieckhefer,  Meta  Kicckhefcr,  Fay  Vaughan, 
Lucile  Simon,  Irma  Hellberg,  Flora  Knox. 

Lambda,  Ethel  McCoy,  Adah  Thomlinson,  Millie  Stebbins,  Ruth  Hutch- 
ins,  Mary-Emma  Griffith,  Greta  Gyer. 

Mu,  Carrie  McBride,  Florence  A.  Armstrong. 

Nu,  Mrs.  Inger  Hoen  Emery. 

Omicron,  Beatrice  Fast. 

Alpha  Alpha,  Ethel  Calkins  McDonald,  Kate  Calkins  Drake. 

Beta  Beta,  Maude  Meserve  Stoner. 

Gamma  Gamma,  Olah  Hill. 

Epsilon  Epsilon,  Bessie  Tefft  Smith,  Winnifred  Van  Buskirk  Mount, 
Florence  Woodhams  Henning,  Kusebia  Davidson,  Hortense  Osmun  Miller, 
Myrtle  Wallis  Allen,  Maude  Armstrong  Hubbard,  Harriet  Veith  Robson, 
Ora  Woodworth,  Cora  Bliss  Bresler,  Grace  Culver,  Frances  Dissette  Tackels. 

Social  Features 
Monday,  August  29. 

8:00    P.    M.     Informal    evening.    Convention    Hall.     "Rush    Party"    and 
"Stunt  Night"  in  charge  of  Theta  Chapter. 
Tuesday,  August  30. 

Boat  ride  to  St.  Clair  Flats. 
Wednesday,  August  31. 

4  :00  P-  M.    Automobile  ride. 

8  :00  p.   M.     Convention  Musical,  Roof  Garden,  Hotel  Tuller. 

Thursday,  September  1. 

1  :15  P.  M.     Convention  picture. 

3  :30  P.  M.     Chapter  reunions. 

8  :00  p.  M.     Convention  dance. 
Friday,  September  2. 

8  :30  p.  M.    Convention  banquet. 
Saturday,  September  3. 

Trip   to   Ann   Arbor.      Visit   to    University   and   Theta    Chapter   House. 
Automobile  ride.     Lunclieon. 

Thirtf.kx  1 11  Xation.'\l  Convention 
The  Thirteenth  Biennial  Grand  Chapter  was  entertained  by  Kappa  and 
Eta  Eta  Chapters  at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  "on  the  shores  of  fair  Mendota." 
from  June  26-28,  191  2.  Tlic  meetings  were  held  in  the  beautiful  new  women's 
building,  Lathrop  Hall.  The  outstanding  business  was  the  presentation 
of  the  revision   of   the   constitution   and   code   which   had   been   thoroughly 


188  The  Hisiorv  gf  Alpha   Chi   Omeda   Fraternity 

made  by  the  committee,  Mrs.  Fall  and  Mrs.  (Ireen.  This  revision  was  put 
on  trial  until  next  convention  and  ordered  j)rinted.  With  the  further  changes 
made  by  the  Fourteenth  Biennial,  the  constitution  and  code  were  thoroughly 
suited  to  the  needs  of  the  Fraternity.  Another  step  of  great  importance  was 
the  change  in  purpose  of  the  Scholarship  Fund  to  the  Reserve  Fund  to  meet  any 


Evangeline    Bridge    Stevenson 

National  President,    1910-1012 

especial  emergencies  of  the  Orand  Council  or  of  active  chapters.  "A  splendid 
spirit  of  cooperation  was  sliown  from  the  moment  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee was  presented."  The  recommendation  was  adopted,  "and  in  almost 
as  short  a  time  as  it  takes  to  write  of  it.  pledges  to  the  extent  of  $315 
were  secured — additional  pledges  soon  swelled  the  amount  to  $327." 
Those  "who  helped  make  the  Fund  a  possihilitv"  were :  Alta  Allen  Loud, 
Florence  Reed  Haseltine,  Laura  A.  Howe,  Evangeline  Bridge  Stevenson,  Fay 
Barnaby  Kent.  Florence  A.  Armstrong,  Winifred  Van  Buskirk  Mount,  Lois 
Smith  Crann,  Nella  Ramsdell  Fall,  Elma  Patton  Wade,  Frank  Busey  Soule, 
Estelle  McFarlane  Dunkle,  Lillian  Goulston  MacMasters,  Edna  Walters, 
Birdean  Motter  Ely,  Jennie  Oechsli  Haggart,  Arminda  Mowre,  Edna  Mowre, 


190  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Jean  K.  Ripley,  Lucile  Schenck,  Grace  Morgan,  Rachel  Williams,  and  Mar- 
garet Letzter.  The  convention  surplus  of  $334.99  was  turned  over  to  the  Fund 
by  the  delegates,  and  the  increase  in  the  annual  per  capita  tax  made  possible  an 
appropriation  of  a  part  of  it  for  the  Reserve  Fund.  The  Committee  announced 
that  they  had  set  the  amount  of  $5,000  as  a  goal  to  be  reached  before  the 
next  convention.  The  purpose  of  the  fund  was  stated  to  be  loans  to  chapters 
for  building  and  other  purposes.  Mu  Chapter  pledged  her  share  in  the 
profits  of  a  recital  to  be  given  by  Maud  Powell  in  Indianola.  It  was  under- 
stood that  a  Scholarship  Fund  would  be  established  later.  Mrs.  Loud 
was  persuaded  to  retain  the  chairmanship  of  the  Reserve  Fund.  In  order 
to  familiarize  initiates  more  thoroughly  with  the  vows  which  they  had  taken, 
it  was  decided  to  hold  a  post-entrance  examination  on  the  ritual  and  cere- 
monies within  two  weeks  after  initiation.  Uniform  house  rules  were  adopted. 
Action  which  should  link  together  more  closely  in  effort  the  Council  and 
chapters  was  the  establishment  of  a  trophy  to  "be  awarded  yearly  by  the 
Fraternity  under  council  supervision  to  the  active  chapter  showing  the 
greatest  excellence  in  all  fraternal  relations." 

Four  new  charters  had  been  granted  since  1910:  Rho  at  the  University 
of  Washington ;  Sigma  at  the  University  of  Iowa ;  Tau  at  Brenau  College, 
Gainesville,  Ga. ;  Eta  Eta  Alumnae  Chapter  at  Madison,  Wis.  The  publica- 
tion of  the  fraternity  history,  one  of  the  first  and  the  best  of  the  histories 
of  women's  fraternities,  was  reported  and  welcomed.  The  Convention 
extended  "a  vote  of  sincere  thanks  to  Miss  Siller  and  Miss  Armstrong,  in 
particular,  and  to  their  able  assistants,  Mrs.  Loud,  Mrs.  Dennis,  Mrs.  Hasel- 
tine,  and  Miss  Vose,  in  compiling  the  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega." 
Appreciation  was  also  expressed  to  Kappa  Kappa  Gamma  and  to  Alpha  Xi 
Delta  fraternities  for  gracious  courtesies  extended  during  the  convention. 

A  raise  in  the  per  capita  tax  was  made,  a  part  of  this  tax  "to  constitute 
a  convention  fund,  a  part  to  go  into  the  Reserve  Fund,"  and  a  part  for 
current  expenses  of  the  national  organization.  A  special  dispensation  was 
made  to  hold  the  next  convention  three  years  hence,  in  1915,  in  order 
that  a  greater  number  of  members  might  attend  a  Pacific  Convention,  and  a 
longer  time  might  elapse  for  preparations  to  finance  a  coast  assembly.  Both 
the  Berkeley  Alpha  Chi  Omegas  and  the  Los  Angeles  members  strongly 
urged  the  Convention  to  accept  their  respective  invitations.  The  retire- 
ment from  the  Council  of  four  invaluable  members  made  the  work  of  the 
nominating  committee  a  very  responsible  task.  The  inauguration  of  the 
province  system  of  government,  and  the  carrying  into  effect  of  the  revised 
Constitution,  a  work  which  calls  for  large  fraternity  experience  and  wise 
generalship,  caused  the  insistent  call  for  Mrs.  Loud  to  take  up  again  the 
work  of  national  president.  It  was  a  clear,  irresistible  call  which  would 
not  consider  the  personal  desires  and  preferences  of  Mrs.  Loud,  but  sounded 
over  and  over  the  one  word,  Duty ;  the  delegates  of  active  and  alumnae  chap- 
ters joined  in  a  unanimous  written  petition  to  Mrs.  Loud  to  consider  the 
request  favorably.  To  the  great  joy  of  the  Fraternity,  Mrs.  Loud  responded 
to  the  need  for  her,  and  took  up  the  work  of   National   President  of  the 


National  Conventions  191 

Fraternity  for  which  she  had  already  p;iven  whfjle-souled  and  e])<>rh-making 
service  in  the  office  from  1906-1910. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows:  President.  Mrs.  E.  R.  Loud; 
Vice-president,  Mrs.  Alfred  Mount;  Secretary,  Mrs.  ('.  I"-.  I-'.ly  ;  Trea-surer, 
Miss  Lillian  Zimmerman;  Editor,  Miss  Florence  A.  Armstrong;  Inspector, 
Mrs.  H.  C.  Crann.  Shortly  after  convention  the  resignation  of  Mrs.  Mount 
was  tendered  as  Vice-president,  and  Mrs.  H.  M.  Kent,  the  incumbent  of  the 
office  since  1909,  was  prevailed  upon,  in  spite  of  family  illne.ss,  to  perform 
the  duties  of  that  office  for  still  another  term. 

A  hundred  and  eighteen  members  were  registered   at   Convention.     The 
social   pleasures   included   the   convention   banquet   at   which   greetings  were 
read  from  Alpha  Phi,  Kappa  Alpha  Theta,  Pi  Beta  Phi,  Delta  Delta  Delta, 
and    Ida    Shaw    Martin;    convention    musicale;    an    automobile    ride    along 
Lake  Monona;  a  launch  ride  on  Lake  Mendota  ;  a  play  by  Kappa  Chapter; 
a  convention  dance;  and  a  picnic  and  matinee  dance  at  Esther  Beach. 
The  following  members  were  in  attendance : 
President,   Evangeline  Bridge  Stevenson. 
Vice-president,  Nella  Ramsdell  Fall  (for  Mrs.  Kent). 
Secretary,  Helen  A.  Hardie. 
Treasurer,  Winifred  Van  Buskirk  Mount. 
Editor,  Florence  A.  Armstrong. 
Inspector,  Lois  Smith  Crann. 

Delegates — Alpha,  Allene  Nopper,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 
Beta,  Lucile  Schenk,  Cass  City,  Michigan, 
(lamma,  Bess  Wiley,  Edgerton,  Ohio. 
Delta,  Ruth  Thomas,  Meadville,  Pennsylvania. 
Epsilon,  Clara  Stephenson,  Los  Angeles,  California. 
Zeta,  Sara  Helen  Littlejohn,  Galveston,  Texas. 
Theta,  Helen  E.  Hilliker,  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan. 
Tota,  Jean  K.  Ripley.  Chicago,  Illinois. 
Kappa,  Ann  Kieckhefer,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 
Lambda,  Bernice  Taylor,  Spencerport,  New  York. 
Mu,  Mary  Shaw,  Corning,  Iowa. 
Nu,  Ernestine  Faus,  Boulder,  Colorado. 
Xi.  Flora  Boyles,  Alvo,  Nebraska. 
Omicron,  Bertha  Nusbaimi,  Parsons,  Kansas. 
Pi,  Ethel  Beard,  Berkeley,  California. 
Rho,  Jennie  Rogers,  Waterville,  Washington. 
Sigma,  Margaret  Kane,  Iowa  City,  Iowa. 
Tau,  Emma  Partlow,  Greenwood,  South  Carolina. 
Alpha  Alpha,  Hedwig  Brenneman,  Evanston,  Illinois. 
Beta  Beta,  Margaret  Wynn,  Indianapolis,  Indiana. 
Gamma  Gamma,  Nella  Ramsdell  Fall,  New  York,  New  York. 
Delta  Delta,  Olive  Berryman,  Los  Angeles.  California. 
Epsilon  Epsilon,  Ora  Woodworth,  Detroit,  Michigan. 
Zeta    Zeta,    Evangeline    Bridge    Stevenson.    Boston,    Massa- 
chusetts. 
Eta  Eta,  Sarah  Morgan,  Madison.  Wisconsin. 


192  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 

Other  Members  Present — Alpha,  Mayme  Winans,  Columbus.  Indiana; 
Edna  Walters,  Logansport,  Indiana;  Mildred  Walters,  Logansport,  Indiana; 
Vera  Conn,  Logansport,  Indiana. 

Beta,  Alta  Allen  Loud,  Albion,  Michigan  ;  Augusta  EYcland,  Mayville, 
Michigan ;  Aletta  Trese,  Bay  City,  Michigan. 

Gamma,  Margaret  Letzter,  EYanston.  Illinois;  Grace  R.  Mitchell,  Mt. 
Carmel,  Illinois;  Ruth  Saucerman,  Rock  Grove,  Illinois;  Luella  Chapman, 
Fort  Atkinson,  Wisconsin;  Rachel  Williams,  Seneca,  Kansas;  Bertha  Har- 
baugh.  Highland  Park,  Illinois;  Helen  Padgett,  Otta\va,  Illinois;  Margaret 
Macpherson,  EYanston,  Illinois  ;  Jeanette  Wilson,  Reedsburg,  Wisconsin. 

Delta,  Margaret  Sietz,  Hamilton.  Pennsyh-ania. 

Epsilon,  Juanita  Mennet,  Los  Angeles,  California. 

Zeta,  Florence  Reed  Hazeltine,  Ripon,  Wisconsin. 

Theta,  Jean  Watkins,  Marion,  Ohio. 

Iota,  Ida  Mae  Shotwell,  Evanston,  Illinois;  Grace  Morgan,  Urbana, 
Illinois. 

Kappa,  Leah  Deutsch,  Wausau,  Wisconsin ;  Helen  Murray,  Rensselaer, 
Indiana ;  Ruth  Morris,  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin  ;  Meta  Kieckhefer,  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin ;  Lillian  Zimmerman,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin ;  Bessie  Rood,  Reeds- 
burg, Wisconsin ;  Gladys  Morrel,  Escanaba,  Michigan  ;  Flora  Knox,  Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin;  Sally  Torstenson,  Milford,  Iowa;  Ella  B.  Jones, 
Oshkosh,  Wisconsin ;  Ida  Mae  Rush,  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana ;  Grace  Currier 
Howe,  Boscobel,  Wisconsin;  Gertrude  Magee,  Shawano,  Wisconsin;  Hazel 
Peterson,  Rice  Lake,  Wisconsin;  Gladys  Sutherland,  Madison,  Wisconsin; 
Sidney  Oehler,  Lake  Mills,  Wisconsin ;  Elda  Riggert,  Reedsburg,  Wiscon- 
sin; Marguerite  Martin,  Madison,  Wisconsin;  Kadelia  Jeune,  Meridian, 
Wisconsin;  Alma  Slater,  Escanaba,  Michigan;  Charlotte  Crawford,  Oshkosh, 
Wisconsin ;  Lilah  M.  Webster,  Independence,  Iowa ;  Mary  Sayle,  Madison, 
Wisconsin;  Else  Landeck,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin;  Mable  Van  Epps,  Cam- 
anche,  Iowa;  Ann  Reuth,  Sun  Prairie,  Wisconsin;  Edith  Pennock,  Bloom- 
ington,  Wisconsin ;  Vivian  Verbech  Simons.   Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 

Lambda,  Imo  W.  Toms,  Lyndonville,  New  York. 

Nu,  Bessie  Todd,  Maryville,  Missouri. 

Xi,  Reva  Laura  Russell,  Flandreau,  South  Dakota ;  Florence  Malone, 
Lincoln,  Nebraska;  M.  Cordelia  Condra,  Lincoln,  Nebraska;  Mandoline 
Bennison,  David  City,  Nebraska;  Jane  C.  Bishop,  Lincoln,  Nebraska;  Marion 
E.  Wliitmore,  Valley,  Nebraska;  Mrs.  Nell  Whitmore  Johnson,  Valley, 
Nebraska ;    Delia  Robinson,   Waterloo,   Nebraska. 

Omicron,  Ethel  Ault,  Baldwin,  Kansas;  Mrs.  Jennie  Oechsli  Haggart, 
Ottawa,  Kansas;   Mrs.  Birdean  Motter  Ely,   Baldwin,  Kansas. 

Rho,  Emily  Rogers,  Waterville,  Washington  ;  Edna  L.  Monroe,  Billings, 
Montana. 

Sigma,  Norma  Ried  Harrison,  Cleveland.  Ohio ;  Florence  Cook,  Inde- 
pendence,  Iowa. 

Tau,  Montine  Alford,  Hartville,  Georgia ;  Willie  Kate  Travis,  Atlanta, 
Georgia;  Sara  Lee  Alford,  Hartville,  Georgia. 


r-  n 


9  5 


I— I        o    c 


n     2         2     C' 


194  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Alpha  Alpha.  Cordelia  Hansen.  Chicago,  Hlinois;  Theodora  Chaflfee, 
Evanston,  Hlinois;  Lillian  Wycoff,  Wilmette,  Hlinois;  Mabel  Siller,  Evans- 
ton,  Illinois. 

Eta  Eta,  Josephine  Heuer.  Madison,  Wisconsin;  Margaret  H'Doubler, 
Madison,  Wisconsin ;  Mae  Theobold,  Madison.  Wisconsin ;  Winifred 
Webster.  Cresco,  Iowa ;  Sadie  Sutherland,  Madison,  Wisconsin ;  Inger  Hoen 
Emery,  Edgerton,  Wisconsin ;  Florence  Baskerville,  Madison,  Wisconsin ; 
Mabel  Kelley,  Madison,  Wisconsin ;  Alice  Alford.  Madison,  Wisconsin ; 
Hazel  Alford,  Madison,  AViscoiisin ;  Adeline  Soren,  Madison,  Wisconsin; 
Lucile  Simon,   Madison,   Wisconsin ;    Helen  Jennings,   Madison,   Wisconsin. 

Fourteenth  National  Convention 
The  Fourteenth  Biennial  National  Convention  convened  at  Hotel 
Virginia,  Long  Beach,  California,  June  28-July  2,  1915.  The  convention 
special  train  had  enabled  the  delegates  from  east  of  California  to  become 
acquainted,  and  discuss  many  questions  of  fraternity  interest  both  with  the 
Council  and  with  each  other.  Business  sessions  moved  much  more  quickly 
in  consequence.  From  every  point  of  view,  the  convention  was  the  greatest 
in  the  history  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  The  attendance  was  the  largest,  since 
about  240  members  were  present,  234  of  whom  were  registered.  The  Con- 
vention lasted  live  days,  so  that  there  was  more  time  for  the  transaction  of 
business.  The  work  presented  to  the  Convention  bv  committees  in  reports 
was  more  exhaustive  than  hitherto,  and  the  ground  covered  quickly  was 
thus  very  extensive.  More  petitions  (19)  were  reported  than  at  anv  previous 
convention.  The  first  convention  newspaper  (the  daily  Convention  Tran- 
script) was  published,  carrying  the  news  of  convention  throughout  the  land. 
A  larger  number  of  national  officers  (more  than  one  hundred)  had  been 
accomplishing  results  for  the  Fraternitv  than  had  been  true  at  anv  former 
biennial.  The  delights  of  natural  environment,  needless  to  say,  far  surpassed 
those  of  other  gatherings.  It  was  felt  deeplv  bv  all  that  the  spirit  of  loyalty, 
enterprise,  and  idealism  manifested  throughout  the  session,  and  the  definite 
progressive  measures  continued  or  inaugurated  by  the  convention  meant 
greater  usefulness  and  poM^er  for  the  immediate  future  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 
The  Heraeum  and  The  Lyre  for  November,  1915,  and  the  daily  Convention 
Transcript  record  from  various  points  of  view  the  details  of  the  remarkable 
convention.  Announcements  of  the  special  train,  including  the  convention 
program,  had  been  sent  to  all  members  of  the  Fraternity  so  that  the  interest 
in  the  assembly  was  widespread. 

The  outstanding  business  was  the  broadening  of  our  extension  policy  to 
include  as  eligible  all  first-class  universities  and  colleges  ;  a  budget  for  national 
council  expenses  was  adopted :  the  scholarship  requirement  for  initiation 
was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  committee  to  be  adjusted  in  cases  of  great 
differences  in  the  marking  systems  in  the  different  universities  by  a  National 
Scholarship  Committee  created  for  that  purpose.  The  office  of  Alumnse  Vice- 
president  was  created,  and  the  work  of  the  Extension  Vice-president  was 
restricted  to  extension  work  ;  a  sole  official  jeweler  for  badges  was  decided 
upon  and  J.  F.  Newman  and  Co.  was  appointed  ;  it  was  ordered  that  none 


National  Conventions  195 

but  initiated  members  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  be  allowed  to  wear  articles 
bearing  the  Coat-oi'-arms.  Initiates  were  reijuired  to  purchase  a  badge 
within  a  specified  time  after  initiation,  and  also  to  purchase  a  history,  a  song- 
book,  and  a  directory,  together  with  a  life  subscription  to  The  Lyre  by  annual 
installment.  These  requirements  of  initiates  will  render  it  very  unusual 
for  members  of  Alplia  Chi  Omega  to  be  or  to  become  uninformed  and  unin- 
terested in  this  fraternity.  They  will  in  time,  it  is  believed,  eliminate  for- 
ever "out-of-touch"  alumnre. 

As  provided  at  the  preceding  biennial  convention,  a  Scliolarship  Fund 
w^as  instituted  and  contributed  to  generously.  A  slight  profit  to  the  Fra- 
ternity on  each  badge  purchased  was  made  possible  by  the  concentration  of 
the  manufacture  of  badges.  This  annual  profit  was  devoted  to  the  Scholar- 
ship Fund  and  will  guarantee  a  steady  increase  to  it.  Other  sources  of 
income  will  in  a  short  time  be  turned  into  the  same  channel.  Other  standing 
committees  of  significance  which  were  created  were  the  National  Vocational 
Committee  to  assist  members  of  the  Fraternity ;  and  a  Traditions  Committee 
"to  enforce  the  traditions  of  the  Fraternity  in  individual  chapters." 

A  second  edition  of  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  History  was  authorized 
to  be  written  "from  a  combined  personal  and  statistical  standpoint,"  to  be 
published  in  the  fall  of  1916.  Miss  Armstrong,  editor  of  The  Lyre  since 
1910,  Avas  "asked  to  serve  as  author  of  the  second  edition  of  the  History 
with  full  authority  vested  in  her." 

The  principal  need  of  the  Fraternity,  as  reported  by  delegates  and  officers 
alike,  Avas  for  wider  alumnte  organization.  This  need  had  been  felt  keenly 
since  the  passing  of  the  first  quarter  century  of  fraternity  life,  during  which 
period  of  development  the  greatest  thought  and  care  had  been  devoted  to 
the  undergraduate  members.  But  with  the  enormous  increase  of  alumna? 
membership  the  call  for  a  further  alumna-  organization  was  too  persistent 
to  be  ignored.  The  office  of  Alumnae  Vice-president,  wlio  should  form  an 
alumnae  association  and  foster  alumnae  organization,  was  created  enthusi- 
astically. The  rapid  growth  of  this  department  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
through  the  last  decade  is  related  elsewhere  in  the  present  volume. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

National  President,  Alta  Allen  Loud. 

National  First  Vice-president.  Lillian  G.  Zimmerman. 

National  Second  Vice-president,  Maude  Staiger  Steiner. 

National  Secretary,  Mary-Emma  Griffith. 

National  Treasurer,  Myra  H.  Jones. 

Editor  The  Lyre,  Florence  A.  Armstrong. 

National  Inspector,  Lois  Smith  Crann  (succeeded  shortly  by  Nella  Rams- 
dell  Fall). 

The  report  from  four  chapters  who  had  taken  definite  steps  toward 
chapter  house  ownership  were  of  particular  interest,  as  well  as  of  ten  others 
who  were  making  plans  toward  the  same  goal.  The  following  summary 
of  the  work  of  the  years   immediately  preceding  the   Fourteenth    Biennial 


N  ATK  )X  A 1.    Cox \  I-: N  I'lON S 


197 


was   given   as  part  of   the  address  of   the   President   at   the   oi)ening   of   the 
Convention. 

"Since  the  Madison  Convention,  two  informal  conferences  of  national 
officers  have  been  held,  immediately  ["receding  the  National  Panhellenic 
Congress  sessions  of  1912  and  1913.  It  was  your  president's  privilege  to 
attend  the  first  of  these,  also  to  preside  at  the  1913  and  1914  council  meet- 
ings. Besides  the  actual  results  accomplished,  these  meetings  have  proved  help- 
ful in  the  cementing  of  the  loyal  friendships  which  exist  among  the  national 
officers.  In  May,  1913.  the  inspector  and  president  represented  the  Council 
at  a  special  interfraternity  conference  called  by   Delta   I  psilon.     The  object 


Lillian  G.  Zimmerman,  Kappa 

National   Treasurer,    1912-1915 

Alumn:e    Vice-president,    1915- 

Chairman    Chapter    House    Committee 


of  the  meeting  was  admittedly  to  take  definite  steps  for  meeting  the  opposi- 
tion to  fraternity  and  the  result  of  the  conference  was  the  appointment  of 
an  Executive  Committee  of  ten  and  the  establishment  of  the  Fraternity 
Reference  Bureau. 

"It  has  been  my  pleasure  to  represent  Alpha  Chi  Omega  officially  at  the 
first  and  second  conferences  of  presidents  of  the  eighteen  National  Pan- 
hellenic Congress  fraternities.  These  meetings  were  for  the  purpose  of 
reaching  a  common  understanding  on  many  matters  pertaining  to  the  direc- 
tion of  fraternities  and  the  free  discussions  and  exchange  of  thoughts  were 
beneficial.     That  your  president  was  chosen  to  prepare  the  program  for  and 


198 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 


preside  over  the  sessions  of  the  second  conference  was  taken  not  as  a  personal 
tribute  but  as  an  appreciated  recognition  of  the  national  organization  which 
it  is  my  privilege  to  represent.  The  result  of  this  conference  was  the  for- 
mation of  the  'Code  of  Ethics'  for  the  use  of  national  presidents,  the  object 
of  which  is  to  bring  about  in  all  fraternities  greater  uniformity  in  official 
instructions  to  chapters,  a  higher  sense  of  fraternal  relation  and  responsibility, 
greater  appreciation  of  the  worth  and  rights  of  others  and  a  more  cheerful 
and  loyal  cooperation  with  university  authorities. 

"It  was  a  matter  of  regret  that  illness  prevented  my  attendance  at  the 
1913    Panhellenic   Congress   session   but   the   conferences   of    1912    and    1914 


Lois   Smith   Crann 

Business  Manager  Lyre,    1910-1912 

Inspector,    1911-1915 

Chairman   Panhellenic   Congress,    1913-1914 

were  found  most  inspiring.  I  should  enjoy  talking  to  you  at  length  on  the 
subject  of  Panhellenism  and  the  opportunity  it  affords  our  chapters  and 
individual  members  but  I  shall  not  encroach  upon  the  report  of  our  Pan- 
hellenic delegate.  I  do  wish,  however,  in  passing,  to  express  my  personal 
appreciation  of  our  National  Panhellenic  representative,  Mrs.  Crann,  who 
for  the  last  three  years  served  the  Congress  most  efficiently  as  treasurer, 
secretary,  and  chairman.  The  members  of  the  National  Council  were  unduly 
favored  in  that  all  were  able  to  attend  the  1914  Congress  in  New  York  City. 
It  was  truly  Alpha  Chi  Omega  year  in  Panhellenism.  Unusual  difficulties 
attended  this  meeting,  held  for  the  first  time  in  the  East,  and  I  desire  to  pay 


National  Conventions  199 

tribute  to  the  dignified,  efficient  leadership  of  Mrs.  Crann,  the  Chairman  of 
the  Congress,  and  to  Mrs.  Fall  and  her  Gamma  Camma  workers  whose  local 
management  of  the  Congress  made  it,  in  the  opinion  of  the  delegates,  the 
most  successful  meeting  ever  held. 

"It  was  my  hope  at  the  time  of  my  inception  into  (jflice  to  visit  every 
chapter  in  the  fraternitv  before  our  1915  Convention.  Tliis  hope  has  not 
been  realized  but  I  have  been  fortunate  enough  to  visit  Beta,  Gamma,  Theta, 
Nu,  Rho.  Sigma.  Upsilon,  and  Chi  and  I  have  also  enjoyed  the  gracious 
hospitalitv  of  the  women  of  (iamma  Gamma  and  Epsilon  Epsilon. 

"During  the  past  three  vears  it  has  been  my  privilege  to  welcome  three 
new  undergraduate  chapters,  five  alumnae  chapters,  and  thirteen  alumnce 
clubs,  charters  having  been  signed  for  Upsilon,  Phi,  and  Chi,  Theta  Thefa, 
Iota  Iota,  Kappa  Kappa,  Lambda  Lambda,  and  Mu  Mu,  while  alumnje 
clubs  have  been  organized  at  Decatur,  Champaign,  Eastern  Oklahoma, 
Cleveland,  Albion,  Des  Moines,  St.  Louis,  Milwaukee,  Ann  Arbor,  Mead- 
ville,  Washington.  Portland,  and  Omaha.  There  are  very  happy  memories 
of  Upsilon  and  Chi  installations  in  which  I  was  privileged  to  participate." 

"And  now  for  a  brief  resume  of  the  actual  accomplishments  of  the  last 
three  years. 

"The  fact  that  we  have  been  able  to  add  to  our  roll  eight  new  chapters 
and  thirteen  clubs  testifies  to  the  steady,  consistent  growth  of  our  fraternity. 
The  membership  in  our  alumn;t  organizations  has  more  than  doubled  and 
the  unusually  large  number  of  petitions  and  informal  requests  for  considera- 
tion which  have  reached  the  Executive  Committee  prove  the  value  of  the 
systematic,  efficient  extension  investigation  which  has  marked  the  last  three 
years.  An  Extension  Board  authorized  at  our  1913  Council  Meeting  and 
composed  of  representatives  from  each  state  in  the  Union  has  been  a  power- 
ful aid  both  to  our  expansion  work  and  to  an  awakening  of  interest  on  the 
part  of  our  alumn;t  women.  A  comparatively  new  feature  of  alumnae  work 
is  found  in  a  steadily  increasing  list  of  nonresident  members.  It  may  surprise 
some  of  you  to  hear  that  we  now  have  al)out  one  hundred  women  engaged 
in  our  national  work.  However,  we  need  many  more  workers  and  your 
president  believes  that  the  time  is  now  at  hand  that  the  work  of  the  Council 
can  no  longer  be  accomplished  bv  the  few  officers  guiding  its  destinies  but 
that  we  must  find  at  once  within  our  alumnae  ranks  a  number  of  capable, 
devoted  women  who  will  enlist  for  national  work. 

"The  province  government  is  still  in  its  infancy  but  already  it  has  justified 
itself.  We  have  been  unfortunate  in  having  only  two  province  presidents 
able  to  do  the  necessarv  traveling  and  inspection  work  of  their  office  but  all 
have  done  efficient  desk  work  and  have  helped  materially  in  bringing  about 
a  more  careful  oversight  and  loving  understanding  of  our  undergraduate 
members.  It  is  the  belief  of  your  president,  however,  that  in  the  future 
this  province  work  should  be  given  to  young  alumn;r  who  will  be  able  to 
inspect  or  assist  in  the  extension  work  when  needed. 

"Four  appointments  of  interest  have  been  matle  since  the  1912  Conven- 
tion; that  of  Miss  Meta  Kieckhefer  as  deputy  to  the  treasurer,  Mrs.  Steiner 


200  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega  Fraternity 

as  deputy  to  the  national  vice-president,  Miss  Kathryn  Morgan  as  keeper 
of  supplies,  and  Miss  Ann  Kieckhefer  as  keeper  of  archives.  Each  of  these 
women  has  rendered  valuable  assistance  and  as  a  result  of  their  labors  we 
have  today  a  credital)le  convention  fund  made  possible  by  the  collection 
of  alumnae  notes,  a  thorough  extension  investigation  and  recommendations 
for  a  definite  expansion  policy,  a  well-organized,  workable  system  of  oflficial 
supplies,  and  the  archives  of  the  fraternity  safely  stored  and  catalogued. 

"The  work  of  systematization  has  been  well  carried  on  as  is  shown  in  the 
adoption  of  a  uniform  filing  system,  the  publication  of  rushing  rules  and 
outline  of  study,  the  revision  of  chapter  officers'  instructions,  a  revised, 
graded  system  of  examinations,  the  revision  and  publication  of  a  book  of 
ceFemonies  and  prescribed  forms,  the  publication  of  alumnae  by-laws,  the 
adoption  of  a  new  seal,  the  adoption  of  uniform  handbooks  and  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  George  Banta  Pulilishing  Company  as  our  oiificial  supplies 
firm.  It  has  been  the  intention  of  the  present  Council  to  adopt  thoroughly 
businesslike  methods  in  the  work'  of  our  national  organization. 

"1  always  find  difficulty  in  repressing  my  enthusiasm  when  speaking  of 
our  fraternity  journal  which,  under  the  efficient  management  of  our  editor, 
has  become  a  pul)lication  of  which  we  are  very  proud  and  which  fully 
represents  the  standards  of  our  fraternity.  Since  Miss  Armstrong  will  not 
mention  these  things  in  her  report,  I  take  pleasure  in  telling  you  that  frater- 
nity leaders  constantly  speak  of  T/w  Lyre  as  one  of  the  very  best  fraternity 
journals,  while  Mrs.  Martin,  editor  of  the  Sorority  Handbook,  does  not 
hesitate  to  pronounce  it  the  very  best  journal  published  by  a  woman's 
fraternity. 

"The  Argolid  has  been  inaugurated  and  four  volumes  have  thus  far 
appeared.  This  private  journal  has  been  helpful  but  its  length  and  infre- 
quent appearance  have  militated  against  an  enthusiastic  welcome  on  the  part 
of  our  members.  The  recent  purchase  of  a  mimeograph  will  enable  much 
more  frequent  pul)lications  of  the  Argolid  and  it  is  the  hope  of  your  presi- 
dent that  it  may  be  a  monthly  or  even  semi-monthly  visitor  next  year.  In 
this  way  it  will  be  possible  to  keep  our  members  informed  as  to  the  doings 
of  the  national  workers  and  we  believe  that  with  such  knowledge  will  come 
a  greater  interest  and  enthusiasm. 

"Two  calendars  have  been  published,  by  Kappa  and  Delta  Chapters, 
respectively.  A  new  songbook  of  which  we  are  very  proud  and  which  we 
hope  you  will  thoroughly  test  at  this  convention  has  been  published  and 
investigations  regarding  the  feasibility  of  a  new  edition  of  our  history  have 
been  made. 

"Financially — thanks  to  the  splendid  ability  and  untiring  eflforts  of  our 
treasurer — Alpha  Chi  Omega  is  in  the  best  condition  she  has  ever  known. 
With  possibly  two  exceptions,  every  chapter  will  report  entire  freedom  from 
indebtedness,  a  goodly  number  have  creditable  beginnings  on  house  funds, 
and  two  of  our  chapters  are  to  tell  us  of  actual  accomplishments  in  the 
matter  of  house  ownership. 


Natioxai.  C'oxne.ntions  201 

"The  Lyre  business  manager  will  tell  you  of  a  splendid  Lyre  Reserve 
F'und,  and  the  National  Reserve  Fund  Committee  has  a  happy  report  to 
make.  In  the  matter  of  material  possessions  Al])ha  Chi  Omega  has  received 
a  very  low  ranking;  but  while  we  have,  indeed,  been  desirous  of  stressing 
the  more  vital  things  of  fraternity,  we  are  glad  to  report  chapters  and  the 
national  organization  on  a  sound  financial  basis  which  will  enable  us  to 
branch  out  and  accom[)lish  some  of  the  broadening  altruistic  work  which 
we  have  longed  to  do. 

"For  the  past  three  years  the  Council  has  worked  incessantly  for  an 
intensive  development  of  our  members,  and  with  this  in  view  we  have  earnestly 
stressed  three  points:  Scholarship,  a  loyal  participation  in  college  activities, 
and  an  earnest  representation  in  the  Christian  life  and  work  in  the  various 
institutions  where  we  are  represented.  I  am  confident  that  the  ruling  as 
to  the  required  participation  in  college  activities  and  our  deferred  initiation 
with  a  definite  scholarship  requirement  have  furnished  the  necessary  impetus 
to  our  younger  girls  and  have  brought  us  the  kind  of  recognition  we  desire 
from  student  bodies  and  universitv  authorities.  The  list  of  honor  students 
for  1914-15  is  most  encouraging.  It  has  been  gratifying  to  learn  of  the 
growing  interest  in  the  Christian  life  of  the  school  on  the  part  of  most  of 
our  chapters  and  I  am  sure  you  will  rejoice  with  me  when  I  tell  you  that 
during  the  three  years  just  closed  Alpha  Chi  Omega  has  had  six  Y.  W.  C.  A. 
presidents  and  eighty-four  members  of  V.  W.  C.  A.  cabinets. 

"The  past  three  years  have  in  the  opinion  of  your  president  been  the 
best  in  the  history  of  the  fraternity.  Progress  has  marked  every  phase  of 
the  work.  The  work  of  mv  ollice  could  not  have  been  continued  without 
the  splendid  support  of  my  coworkers  and  the  loyal  response  of  our  thirty- 
three  chapters." 

The  social  features  of  the  Convention  were  exceedingly  delightful.  They 
included  a  beach  supper,  chapter  stunts,  and  a  launch  ride  on  the  sea  ;  the 
Mission  Play  at  San  Gabriel  ;  an  automobile  tour  through  the  environs  of  Los 
Angeles ;  the  Convention  musicale  followed  by  a  reception  ;  the  convention 
pageant  by  Doris  E.  McKntyre.  at  Bixbv's  Park:  tlie  cliaptcr  reunions:  the 
convention  dance  ;  and  the  convention  ban(|utt. 

The  members  j^resent  were  as  follows: 

Attendance 

President — Alta  Allen   Loud,  Albion.   Michigan. 
Vice-president — Fay  Barnaby  Kent,  New  York.  New  N'ork. 
Secretary — Birdean    Motter   Klv.    Chicago.    Illinois. 
Treasurer — Lillian    /.innnerman.    Milwaukee.    Wisconsin. 
Editor — Florence  A.  Armstrong.   Indianola,  Iowa. 
Inspector — Lois  Smith  Crann.   Davenport,  Iowa. 
Delegates — Alpha,  Margaret  Robinson.  Greensburg,  Indiana. 

Beta,   Esther  Barney.   May   Darrow,   Albion,   Michigan. 

Gamma,    Ruth    Neal.    \\'arsaw,    Indiana;    Florence    Tyden, 
Evanston.  Illinois. 


202  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 

Delta,  Marguerite  Beatty,  Oil  City,  Pennsylvania ;  Agnes  Van 
Hoesen,  Meadville,  Pennsylvania. 

Epsilon,  Ruth  Eveland,  Los  Angeles,  California. 

Zeta,  Mildred  Rutherford,  Princeton,  Minnesota. 

Theta,  Adele  Westbrook,  Battle  Creek,  Michigan  ;  Alice  Blod- 
gett,  Duluth,  Minnesota, 

Iota,  Gretchen  Gootch,  Bellflower,  Illinois. 

Kappa,  Louise  Hudson,  Charleston,  Illinois ;  Floy  Humiston, 
Madison,  Wisconsin. 

Lambda,  Pauline  Griffith,  Syracuse,  New  York. 

Mu,  Phyllis  Phillips,  Indianola,  Iowa. 

Nu,  Mary  McGehee,  Denver,  Colorado. 

Xi,  Clara   McMahon,   Lincoln,   Nebraska. 

Omicron,   Hazel   McClure,   Baldwin,   Kansas. 

Pi,  Doris  Mclntyre,  Berkeley,  California ;  Coe  McCabe,  Ber- 
keley, California. 

Rho,  Arlie  Anderson,  Bellingham,  Washington  ;  Dora  Fred- 
son,  Shelton,  Washington. 

Sigma,  Pauline  Peters,  Tipton,  Iowa. 

Tau,  Lee  Cheney,  Lumber  City,  Georgia. 

Upsilon,  Martha  Redmon,  Decatur,  Illinois. 

Phi,  Leonora  Jennings,  Winfield,  Kansas. 

Chi,  Geraldine  Newins,  Patchogue,  New  York. 

Other  Members  Present — Alpha,  Marion  Gallahue  Hummell,  Oxnard, 
California ;  Vera  Southwick,  Atlanta,  Georgia ;  Louise  Chesney,  Kansas  City, 
Missouri ;  Maude  Meserve  Stoner,  Indianapolis,  Indiana ;  Eva  Nagle  Sutton, 
LaFayette,  Indiana ;  Vera  Dean,  Indianapolis,  Indiana ;  Madeline  Mattox. 
Aurora,  Indiana. 

Beta,  Ja  Nette  Allen  Cushman,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Jessie  Cush- 
man,  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Millie  Fox,  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan ;  Bessie 
Tefft  Smith,  Detroit,  Michigan ;  Corabel  Harrington,  Jackson,  Michigan ; 
Ora  Woodworth,  Detroit,  Michigan  ;  Emma  Crittenden,  Brooklyn,  New  York  ; 
Esther  Merriman,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Marion  Rosecrans,  Tecumseh,  Michigan; 
Grace  Culver,  Detroit,  Michigan ;  Mrs.  Earl  Fellows,  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia ;  Kathryn  Granger,  South  Pasadena,  California ;  Glenna  Schantz 
Mills,  Los  Angeles,  California;   Katherine  Eggelston  Smith. 

Gamma,  Frances  Hadcock,  Stevens  Point,  Wisconsin ;  Rachel  Williams, 
Seneca,  Kansas ;  Hedwig  Brenneman,  Evanston,  Illinois ;  Hilda  Kieckhefer, 
Milwaukee,  Wisconsin;  Bertha  Harbaugh,  Highland  Park.  Illinois;  Leila 
Brown,  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Ruth  Baker,  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Laura 
Turner  Kelly,  Winslow,  Arizona  ;  Martha  Bennett,  Evanston,  Illinois ;  Bess 
Patrick  McNamara,  Los  Angeles,  California. 

Delta,  Jene  Robson  McGill,  La  Mirada,  California ;  Jessie  Tomb,  Johns- 
town, Pennsylvania. 

Epsilon,  Mildred  Finch,  Los  Angeles,  CaHfornia  ;  Henrietta  Davies,  Los 
Angeles,  California ;  Anne  Shepard,  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Elva  Murray. 


National  Conventions  203 

Los  Angeles,  California;  Rowena  Huscroft,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Olive 
Berryman  Brady,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Mary  Bowen,  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia; Lou  Bowen,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Luella  Reeves,  Los  Angeles, 
California;  Phoebe  Joslin,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Delight  Stevens  Dodds, 
Los  Angeles,  California;  Mrs.  H.  B.  Potter,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Marian 
Moses,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Mary  McGuire,  Los  Angeles,  California; 
Ethel  I'yler,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Converse  Nau,  Santa  Ana,  California; 
Marie  Jackson,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Carrie  Trowbridge,  Los  Angeles, 
California;  Cayle  Partridge,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Crace  Shepard  Clark, 
Los  Angeles,  California;  Marie  Buck,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Isabel  Long, 
Los  Angeles,  California;  Laura  Long,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Myrtle  Nauth, 
Los  Angeles,  California ;  Mabel  Chalfin,  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Clara 
Stephenson,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Lucy  Adams,  Los  Angeles,  California; 
Doris  Coomber,  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Ruth  Arnold  True,  Los  Angeles, 
California;  Marion  Greene,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Mrs.  Ethel  Rinehart, 
Los  Angeles,  California;  Sue  Shenk,  Los  Angeles.  California;  Sylvia  Tisch- 
hauser,  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Fern  Bannister,  Los  Angeles,  California ; 
Ellen  Beach  Yaw  Goldthwaite,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Helen  Beck  Bell, 
Los  Angeles,  California;  Mary  Mapel,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Margaret 
Dalton,  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Mrs.  Emma  Petterson,  Casa  Verdugo,  Cali- 
fornia ;  Thankful  Carpenter  Way,  San  Bernardino,  California ;  Jessie  Davis 
White,  Pasadena,  California;  Mildred  Lowther  Candee,  Pasadena,  California; 
Jane  Stanley,  Santa  Ana,  California;  Olive  La  Clair,  Ontario,  California; 
Anna  St.  John  Barrett,  Santa  Rosa,  California ;  Fay  Barkeleu,  Ramona  Acres, 
California;  Mabel  Farrington,  El  Monte.  California;  Eleanor  Clemens,  Pasa- 
dena, California;  Grace  De  Lano,  Pasadena,  California;  Maude  Hawley, 
Phoenix,  Arizona;  Katherine  Asher,  El  Monte,  California;  Edith  Hcarne. 
Long  Beach,  California;  Hazel  Hearne,  Long  Beach,  California;  Katherine 
Stewart,  Long  Beach,  California. 

Zeta,  Amy  M.  Beach  (Mrs.  H.  H.).  Boston,  Massachusetts;  Estella 
Hibbard  Osborne,  Chicago,  Hlinois ;  Olive  Cutter,  Boston,  Massachusetts; 
Jessie  Northcroft,  New  York,  New  York;  Edna  Boicourt,  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia ;  Mima  Montgomery.  Boston,  Massachusetts ;  Alinda  Montgomery, 
Boston,  Massachusetts;  Josephine  Durrell,  Melrose,  Massachusetts;  Anne 
McLeary,  New  York,  New  York ;  Annie  May  Cook,  Arlington,  Massachusetts ; 
Carrie  Ormerod,  Kingston,  New  York ;  Blanche  Brockelbank,  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts ;  Grace  Phillips  McGean.  Cleveland.  Ohio  ;  Edith  Wells  Bly,  Ger- 
mantown,  Pennsylvania. 

Theta,  Laura  Feige,  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan;  Ruth  King.  Escanaba,  Michi- 
gan; Josephine  Murfin,  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan;  Eliza  Cranmer,  Steubenville, 
Ohio;  Maude  Staiger  Steiner,  St.  Louis,  Missouri;  Florence  Staiger,  Michigan 
City,  Indiana;  Florence  Spence.  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan;  Leslie  Smith,  Pasa- 
dena, California. 

Iota,  Marjorie  June,  Belvidere.  Illinois;  Frances  Kirkwood.  Lawrence- 
ville.  Illinois;  Maude  Marks.  Plvmouth,  Indiana;  Frances  Marks.  Plymouth, 
Indiana;  Grace  Morgan,  L'rbana,  Illinois;  Eve  Weilepp,  Decatur,  Illinois; 


204  Thk   History  of  Alpha   Chi   Omkoa   Fraternity 

Elizabeth  T^unn,  Tacoma,  Washington  ;  Eleanore  Rhode  Mize,  Santa  Ana, 
California;  Nelle  Carroll  Pfeiffer,  Long  Beach,  California. 

Kappa,  Ann  Kieckhefer,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin ;  Meta  Kieckhefer,  Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin ;  Edith  Pennock,  Bloomington,  Wisconsin ;  Hazel  V. 
Peterson,  Rice  Lake,  Wisconsin ;  Mary  Sayle,  Madison,  Wisconsin ;  Helen 
Murray,  Rensselaer,  Indiana;  Hazelle  Listebarger  Hoffman,  Pasadena,  Cali- 
fornia. 

Lambda,  Mary  Emma  Criffith.  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Paola  Schilly,  Syra- 
cuse, New  York ;  Frances  Waldo,  Seattle,  Washington ;  Isabel  Dunkle, 
Harrisburg,   Pennsylvania. 

Mu,  Marv  Bradford,  Lidianola,  Iowa;  Nell  E.  Harris,  Indianola,  Iowa; 
June  Hamilton  Rhodes,  Eagle  Rock,  California ;  Elizabeth  Phillips,  Hender- 
son, Iowa. 

Nu,  Helen  McGraw,  Pueblo,  Colorado;  Vera  Flynn,  Pueblo,  Colorado; 
Claudia  Steele,  Eaton,  Colorado ;  Mollie  Rank,  Boulder,  Colorado ;  Merle 
Kabell,  Vernal,  Utah. 

Xi,  Grace  McMahon,  Lincoln,  Nebraska ;  Dale  Pugh  Hascall,  Omaha. 
Nebraska;  Maudeline  Bennison,  David  City,  Nebraska  ;  Elsie  Prewitt,  Omaha. 
Nebraska;  Ruth  Whitmore,  Valley,  Nebraska;  Isabelle  McCorkindale  Mathis. 
Odebolt,  Iowa;  Harriett  Bardwell,  Lyons,  Nebraska;  Hazel  Teeter,  North 
Bend,  Nebraska;  Lodecea  Babcock,  Scottsbluff,  Nebraska;  Mary  Smith,  York, 
Nebraska ;  Ruth  Randolph,  Omaha,  Nebraska ;  Anna  Ray  Simpson,  Long 
Beach,  California. 

Omicron,  Gertrude  Hedge,  Whiting,  Kansas;  Vera  Payton,  Clarinda, 
Iowa  ;  Mary  Brown,  Fall  River,  Kansas  ;  Zoe  Kirkpatrick,  Garnett,  Kansas. 

Pi,  Lulu  Thornburg,  Pasadena,  California;  Marjory  Astatt,  Los  Angeles, 
California;  Anna  Logan,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Mildred  Lantz,  San  Jose, 
California;  Eda  Long,  Turlock,  California;  Elsie  Williams,  Martinez,  Cali- 
fornia ;  Bess  Kentner,  Medford,  Oregon  ;  Rue  CliiTord,  Berkeley,  California ; 
Bertha  Galloway,  Berkeley,  California ;  Estelle  Dale,  Berkeley,  California  ; 
Louise  Keen,  San  Diego,  California;  Katherine  Quinn,  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia; Dorothy  Pinkham,  Los  Angeles,  California;  Eugenia  McCabe,  Ber- 
keley, California;  Leigh  Foulds,  Berkeley,  California;  Catharine  Holt,  Red- 
lands,  California ;  Helen  Baker,  Los  Angeles,  California  ;  Alice  Crabb  Boyd, 
Pomona,  California  ;  Fay  Frisbie,  Berkeley,  California ;  Elsie  Synoc ;  Jessie 
Barnehill. 

Rho,  Emily  Rogers,  Waterville,  Washington ;  Hazel  Learned  Sherrick, 
Port  Townsend,  Washington  ;  lone  Learned,  Port  Townsend,  Washington  : 
Edna  Hindman,  Seattle,  Washington;  Agnes  Hobi,  Aberdeen,  Washington; 
Edith  Greenberg,  Spokane,  Washington ;  Ethel  Jones,  Juliaetta,  Idaho ; 
Gladys  Wright,  Seattle,  Wa.shington ;  Dorothy  Graham,  Seattle,  Washington; 
Edith  Hindman,  Baker,  Oregon. 

Sigma,  Florence  Cook,  Independence,  Iowa ;  Bertha  Reichert,  Tipton, 
Iowa;  Janette  Royal,  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  Nan  Worster,  Algona,  Iowa;  Irene 
Miller,  Algona,  Iowa. 

Tau,  Willie  Kate  Travis.  Atlanta,  Georgia. 


Naiioxai.  Conventions  205 

Upsilon,  Mary  I'iniR-ll,  Kansas,  Illinois;  I, aura  W'eilepp,  Decatur,  Illi- 
nois; Mabel  Hays,  Long  Beach,  California,  Marie  Hays,  Long  Beach,  Cali- 
fornia; Cora  Irene  Leihy,  Decatur,  Illinois. 

Chi,  May  Steusloff.  Salem,  Oregon. 

Special  Features  of  Convetition 

Monday,  4  p.  m.      Exemplification  of  the  Ritual  hv  Rho  Chapter. 

Monday,  6  p.  m.      Beach  supper,  chai)ter  stunts,  and  launch  ride. 

Tuesday,  7  p.  m.      Mission  Play  at  San  Gabriel. 

Wednesday.  1  lo  6  p.  u.  Automobile  tour  through  environs  of  Los 
Angeles. 

Wednesday,  8  p.  m.     Convention  musicale  followed  by  informal  reception. 

Thursday,  2  p.  m.  Convention  pageant  written  by  I)ori.s  McEntyre,  Pi, 
and  produced  by  Pi  Chapter,  Bixby's  Park. 

Thursday.  6  :30  p.  m.     Chapter  reunions. 

Thursdav.  9  :00  p.  m.     Convention  dance. 

Friday,  1  p.  m.      Convention  picture. 

Friday,  7  p.  m.  Convention  banquet  in  Cothic  dining-room  of  the  Hotel 
Virginia. 

National  Conventions  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega 

L     The   First   National   Convention.   Greencastle,   Indiana,   October   20-23, 
1891.     Hostess,  Alpha  Chapter. 

2.  The  Second  National  Convention,  Albion,   Michigan,   Februarv  22-24, 

1893.     Hostess.  Beta  Chapter. 

3.  The    Third    National    Convention,    Evanston,    Illinois.    February    28- 

March  3,  1894.     Hostess,  Gamma  Chapter. 

4.  The  Fourth  National  Con\-L'ntion,  Meadvillc,  Penns\l\'ania.  Ajjril  8-H', 

1896.     Hostess,  Delta  Chapter. 

5.  The    Fifth    National    Convention,     (ireencastle,     Indiana,    March    30- 

April  2,   1897.     Hostess,  Alpha  Chapter. 

6.  The  Sixth  National  Convention,  Albion.  Michigan.  December  1-3.  1898. 

Hostess.  Beta  Chapter. 

7.  The  Seventh   Biennial  Grand  Chapter,   Boston.   Massachusetts.   Decem- 

ber 6-9.  1900.     Hostess,  Zeta  Chapter. 

8.  The  Eighth   Biennial   Grand   Chajitcr,   Evanston,   lllinoi.s.   Octobc'r   29- 

November  1,  1902.     Hostess,  (iamma  Chapter. 

9.  The  Ninth  Biennial  Grand  Chapter.  Meadville,  Pennsylvania.  Novem- 

ber 2-4.  1904.     Hostess,  Delta  Chapter. 

10.  The  Tenth  Biennial  Grand  Chapter,   (ireencastle.   Indiana,   November 

1-3.  1906.    Hostess,  Alpha  Chapter. 

11.  The  Eleventh   Biennial   Grand   Chapter.   Champaign,   Illinois,  Novem- 

ber 26-30,  1908.     Hostess,  Iota  Chapter. 


206  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraternity 

12.  The  Twelfth  Biennial  Grand  Chapter,  Detroit,  Michigan,  August  29- 

September  2,   1910.     Hostesses,  Theta  and  Epsilon  Epsilon  Chap- 
ters. 

13.  The   Thirteenth    Biennial    Grand    Chapter,    Madison,    Wisconsin.   June 

25-28,  1912.     Hostess,  Kappa  Chapter. 

14.  The  Fourteenth  Biennial  National  Convention,  Long  Beach,  California, 

June  28-Julv  2,  1915.    Hostesses.  Epsilon  and  Delta  Delta  Chapters. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

NATIONAL  COUNCIL  MEETINGS 

As  was  stated  in  the  ihapter  on  "(lovernment,"  the  National  Council 
was  created  as  the  governing  body  ci'  tlu-  Fraternity  in  1898.  This  body 
meets  annually,  assembling  as  a  part  of  the  biennial  Grand  Chapter  and 
holding  also  separate  conferences  in  the  alternating  years.  The  following 
is  an  outline  of  the  various  Council  meetings,  w'ith  places,  dates,  officers 
present,  ]irincipal  l)usiness  transacted,  and  social  features. 

Fiksr  (ikAMi  Cor.xcii.  Meeting 

The  First  (irand  Council  meeting,  which  was  the  beginning  of  steady 
development  in  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  was  held  in  Albion,  Michigan,  August 
25-28,  1903.  The  principal  matters  under  deliberation  during  the  sessions 
at  the  home  of  Kate  Calkins,  were  the  revision  of  the  constitution  and  ritual ; 
Alpha  Chi  Omega's  rep)resentation  in.  and  attitude  towards,  the  Intersorority 
Conference;  improvements  in  The  Lyre;  alumnse  chapters;  extension;  and 
the  surrendering  of  the  Fta  charter. 

Attendance 

President,  Kate  Calkins. 

Secretary,  Edith  Roddy    (for  Alta  Moyer). 

Treasurer,  Laura  Howe. 

Historian,  Raeburn  Cowger. 

Editor  of  Lyre,  Edith  Manchester. 

Assistant  Editor,  Mary  Ferine. 

Intersorority  Conference  Delegate,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 

Social  Features 

Tuesday  Evening — Informal  gathering  at  the  home  of  Kate  Calkins. 

Wednesdav  Fvening — Dinner  at  the  Beta  Lodge. 

Thursday  Fvening — Trolley  ride  with  dinner  at  Battle  Creek. 

Second  Grand  Council  Meeting 

The  Second  Grand  Council  meeting  was  an  informal  one  immediately 
preceding  the  Meadville  Convention,  November  1,  1904.  The  principal 
matters  discussed  pertained  to  constitutional  and  ritualistic  rulings,  and  to  the 
business  of  the  Convention. 

Attendance 
President.   Kate  Calkins. 
Secretary,  Bertha  Sackett. 
Treasurer,  Laura  Howe. 
The  social  features  were  those  of  the  1904  convention. 


208  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega   Fraterxitv 

Third  (Iraxd  Council  Meeting 

The  Grand  Council  met  for  a  second  time  in  Albion.  Michigan.  Sep- 
tember 11-13,  1905,  with  Beta  Chapter  acting  as  hostess.  At  this  time  the 
Council  considered  such  matters  as  a  card  index  system  for  the  directory  of 
members ;  the  reestablishment  of  Epsilon  Chapter ;  charters  for  alumnae 
chapters,  and  the  Intersorority  Conference.  It  was  here  that  Elma  Patton 
Wade  was  appointed  to  succeed  Edith  Manchester  Griffin  as  Editor  of 
The  Lyre. 

Attendance 

President,  Kate  Calkins. 

Secretary,  Marcia  Clark. 

Treasurer,  Laura  Howe. 

Historian,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 

Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tennant   (also  Intersorority  Delegate). 

Social  Features 

Tuesday  Evening — Progressive  Checker  Party  at  the  home  of  Lina  Baum. 
Wednesday  Evening — Dinner  at  the  Beta  Lodge. 

Thursday  Afternoon  and  Evening — Trolley  ride  to  Battle  Creek  with  dinner 
at  Post  Tavern. 

Fourth   Grand  Council  Meeting 

The  Fourth  Grand  Council  meeting  assembled  in  Greencastle,  Indiana. 
October  31,  1906,  immediately  preceding  the  Convention.  The  minutes  of 
these  meetings,  which  were  held  at  the  home  of  Anna  Allen  Smith,  record 
important  decisions  concerning  forms  of  petitions  for  charters,  many  financial 
matters,  constitutional  changes,  and  charter  forms,  as  well  as  many  minor 
matters,  aside  from  the  usual  routine  work 

Attendance 
President,  Kate  Calkins. 

Vice-president  and  Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tennant. 
vSecretary,  Marcia  Clark  Howell. 
Treasurer,  Laura  Howe. 
Editor  of  Lyre,  Elma  Patton  Wade. 
Assistant  Editor,  Jennie  McHatton. 
The  social  features  were  those  of  the  1906  convention. 

Fifth  C^raxd  Council  Meeting 

From  October  31  to  November  2,  1907,  the  Fifth  Grand  Council  met  at 
Indianapolis,  Indiana,  Beta  Beta  Chapter  extending  cordial  hospitality.  The 
sessions  were  held  at  the  home  of  Lena  Scott  Wilde,  and  were  the  means  of 
much  good  to  the  Fraternity,  as  it  was  owing  to  the  action  of  this  Council 
that  petition  forms  and  scholarship  reports  were  adopted  ;  that  the  require- 
ment was  made  that  each  active  chapter  should  elect  an  alumna  adviser ; 
that   the   charter   was   granted   to   Xi   Chapter;     that   the  publication   of   a 


Natio.nai.  Cor.xciL  Mi:i:ri.\(;s  209 

fraternity  directory  was  authorized  ;  that  the  project  of  selecting  a  coat-of- 
arms  was  undertaken  under  the  chairniaiishi])  of  Alta  Allen  Loud,  and  that 
the  appointment  was  made  of  J'dorence  Reed  JIaseltine  as  Editor  of  The 
Lyre. 

Attt-iulaiice 

President,  Alta  Allen  Loud. 
Vice-president,  Marcia  Clark  Howell. 
Secretary,  Imo  Baker. 
Treasurer,  Laura  Howe. 
Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tennant. 
Historian,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 

Editor  of  Lyre,  Elma  Patton  Wade  (retiring),  Florence  Reed  Haseltine 
(incoming). 

Assistant  Editor,  Jennie  McHatton   (retiring). 

Social  Features 

Thursday  Evening — Halloween  Party  at  the  home  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson. 
Friday  Evening — Theater  Party. 

Saturday  Afternoon — Reception  at  the  home  of   Helen   Dalrymple   Francis, 
to  the  fraternity  M^omen  of  Indianapolis. 

Sixth  (iRAxo  Couxcil  Meeting 

The  Sixth  Grand  Council  meeting  was  held  in  Champaign.  Illinois, 
November  24-25,  1908,  following  the  usual  custom  of  such  a  conference 
preceding  the  convention.  At  the  sessions,  which  took  place  in  lota's  chapter 
house,  the  entire  Grand  Chapter  program  was  carefully  considered  and 
special  attention  was  paid  to  finances,  a  system  of  graded  examinations,  plans 
for  the  publication  of  a  history  of  the  Fraternity,  better  equipment  for  the 
w^ork  of  the  (irand  Officers,  affiliation  blanks,  the  report  of  the  flag  com- 
mittee, and  of  the  recent  publication  of  the  Directory. 

Attendance 
President,  Alta  Allen  Loud. 
Secretary,  Helen  Wright. 
Treasurer,  Laura  Howe. 
Historian,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 
Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tennant. 
Editor  of  Lyre.  Florence  Reed  Haseltine. 
The  social  features  were  those  enjoyed  by  the  whole  Convention. 

Seventh   (Irand  Counch.   Meeting 

The  Seventh  (irand  C(nincil  assembled  in  Evanston,  Illinois,  October 
27-29,  1909,  with  Gamma  and  Alpha  Alpha  Chapters  as  hostesses.  Among 
the  many  matters  that  came  before  the  se.ssions,  which  were  held  at  the  home 
of  Mabel  Harriet  Siller,  were  the  finished  report  on  the  coat-of-arms ;  the 
chapter,    membership,    and    visiting    report    forms ;    the   Alpha    Chi    Omega 


210  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Studio;  the  authorization  of  model  books  for  chapters;  the  appointment 
of  Mary  Ferine  as  official  Examiner,  Ruth  Buffum  as  Chief  Alumna,  Mary 
Vose  as  Custodian  of  the  Songbook,  and  Myrta  McKean  Dennis  as  Business 
Manager  of  The  Lyre;  the  authorization  of  a  salary  for  the  Editor  of 
The  Lyre ;  and  the  decision  reached  for  Alpha  Chi  Omega  to  adopt  second 
semester  or  sophomore  pledging  if  all  the  other  fraternities  would  be  bound 
by  the  same  agreement. 

Attendance 

President,  Alta  Allen  Loud. 
Vice-president,  Fay  Barnaby  Kent. 
Secretary,  Frank  Busey  Soule. 
Treasurer,   Myrta  McKean  Dennis. 
Historian,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 
Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tennant. 
Editor  of  Lyre,  Florence  Reed  Haseltine. 

Social  Features 

Wednesday  Afternoon — Informal  gathering  after   Gamma  Chapter  meeting 

in  their  chapter  hall. 
Friday  Evening — Reception  to  the  members  of  the  faculty  and  the  fraternities 

in  University  Guildrooms. 
Saturday — Halloween  luncheon  at  the  home  of   Mabel  Jones,   followed  by 

informal  musical  program  and  automobile  ride. 

Eighth   Grand  Council   Meeting 

The  Eighth  Grand  Council  meeting  was  held  August  29,  1910,  at  Hotel 
Tuller,  Detroit,  Michigan,  immediately  preceding  the  Twelfth  National  Con- 
vention. Aside  from  the  planning  for  the  business  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
and  the  usual  routine  of  committee  reports,  which  embraced  the  adoption  of 
the  ofiticial  flag,  of  Hera  as  patron  goddess,  of  the  new  forms  for  the  charter 
and  membership  certificates,  petitions  from  local  fraternities,  and  the  matters 
of  sophomore  pledging  and  a  higher  scholarship  standard  received  serious 
consideration. 

Attendance 

President,  Alta  Allen  Loud. 

Vice-president,  Fay  Barnaby  Kent. 

Secretary,   Frank  Busey  Soule. 

Treasurer,  Myrta  McKean  Dennis. 

Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tennant. 

Editor  of  Lyre,  Florence  Reed  Haseltine. 

Historian,  Mabel  Harriet  Siller. 

Social  Features 

In  addition  to  the  social  features  which  were  enjoyed  by  the  entire  con- 
vention, on  August  28,  a  luncheon  was  given  by  Winifred  Van  Buskirk  Mount 
for  the  members  of  the  Grand  Council. 


National  Council  Meetings  211 

Ninth  Grand  Council  Meeting 

The  Grand  Council  went  into  session  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  H.  M.  Kent, 
508  W.  122nd  St.,  New  York  City,  June  27,  1911,  and  adjourned  July  1. 
All  the  officers  were  present : 

Grand  President,  Evangeline  R.  Bridge. 

Grand  Vice-president,  Fay  Barnaby  Kent. 

Grand  Secretary,  Helen  McQueen  Hardie. 

Grand  Treasurer,  Winii'red  Van  Buskirk   Mount. 

Editor,   Florence  A.   Armstrong. 

Grand  Inspector,  Myrta  McKean  Dennis. 

Grand  Historian,  Grace  Hammond  Holmes. 

At  this  meeting  the  Honor  Pin,  the  head  of  Hera  in  gold,  was  conferred 
upon  Mrs.  Loud,  Mrs.  Haseltine,  Mrs.  Tennant,  Mrs.  Soule,  and  Miss  Siller, 
in  recognition  of  past  service  as  grand  officers.  To  Newman  was  granted 
exclusive  power  to  manufacture  this  pin. 

Effort  was  made  to  protect  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  copyright  of  the  coat- 
of-arms,  and  to  prevent  the  prohibited  display  of  the  lyre  bird  as  an  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  symbol  for  stationery  or  for  decorative  purposes. 

The  President,  Editor,  Secretary,  and  Historian  were  empowered  to  pub- 
lish a  secret  journal,  the  need  for  which  had  long  been  felt.  The  alumnae 
letter,  it  was  ordered,  should  be  incorporated  therein. 

Various  recommendations  of  great  importance,  such  as  the  adoption  of  a 
system  of  province  presidents,  were  made  to  the  committee  on  organization, 
and  incorporated  into  the  revised  Constitution  presented  at  the  National  Con- 
vention of  the  following  year.  The  policy  of  entertaining  convention  by 
chapter  groups  was  recommended  to  convention. 

Complimentary  copies  of  the  forthcoming  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
were  ordered  to  be  presented  by  the  Fraternity  to  the  university  libraries 
of  institutions  where  there  are  chapters  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

The  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Studio  at  the  Macdowell  Colony  for  artists  was 
reported  as  nearing  completion.     The  furnishing  of  the  studio  was  discussed. 

An  important  feature  of  the  session  was  the  planning  for  a  Coast  Con- 
vention at  the  time  of  the  Panama-Pacific  Exposition. 

A  pleasant  social  feature  was  a  tea  at  which  Gamma  Gamma  Chapter 
entertained  the  Council  at  the  home  of   Miss  Northcroft. 

Tenth   Grand  Council   Meeting 

Just  preceding  the  National  Convention,  the  Grand  Council  held  its  ses- 
sion at  the  Kappa  chapter  house.  Madison,  Wisconsin.  June  22-2^.  1912. 
The  officers  were  all  present  except  the  Vice-president,  Mrs.  Kent : 

Grand   President,   Evangeline   Bridge  Stevenson. 

Acting  A'ice-president,  Nella  Ramsdell  Fall. 

Grand  Treasurer.  Winifred  Van  Buskirk  Mount. 

Grand  Secretary,  Helen  McQueen  Hardie. 

Editor,  Florence  A.  Armstrong. 

Grand  Inspector,   Lois  Smith   Crann. 


212  The   History  of  Alpha   Chi   ()mega   Fraternity 

It  was  decided  that  the  Hcracum  be  published  each  year  and  sent  to  Lyre. 
subscribers,  to  contain  Council  and  Convention  minutes  and  the  inspector's 
reports,  that  the  alumn;e  letter  be  sent  out  each  two  years  (a  few  months 
before  convention),  and  that  these  be  financed  by  the  Orand  Treasury. 

The  committee  on  chapter  by-laws  was  ordered  to  turn  its  attention  to 
uniform  house  rules,  and  the  report  of  the  committee  on  model  accounts  was 
recommended  to  Convention  for  adoption.  Upon  request,  dispensations 
were  granted  to  various  chapters  permitting  them  to  reduce  their  percentage 
of  musical  membership  because  of  their  need,  in  university  centers,  for  a 
more  flexible  basis  of  membership. 

Much  time  was  spent  upon  the  discussion  of  the  new  constitution  to  l)e 
presented  to"  the  convention. 

One  of  the  external  changes  involved  in  the  new  constitution  was  the 
nomenclature  of  officers  henceforth  to  be  known  as  "National"  officers,  instead 
of  "Grand"  officers,  as  formerly. 

Eleventh  (jrand  Council  Meeting 

Preceding  the  installation  of  Upsilon  Chapter  at  James  Millikin  Uni- 
versity, the  Council  held  its  sessions  at  976  West  Wood  St.,  Decatur,  Illinois, 
May  14-17,  1913.  With  the  exception  of  Mrs.  Kent  all  the  Council  officers 
were  present : 

National  President,  Mrs.  E.  R.  Loud. 

National  Secretary,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Ely. 

National  Treasurer,  Lillian  G.  Zimmerman. 

National   Editor,   Florence  A.  Armstrong. 

National  Inspector,  Lois  Smith  Crann. 

At  this  meeting  the  Council  authorized  the  publication  of  a  second  private 
organ  for  the  presentation  of  such  other  additional  private  matters  as  are  not 
provided  for  by  The  Heraeum.  the  frequency  and  financing  of  the  publication 
to  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  a  committee  consisting  of  the  editor,  treasurer, 
and  president. 

Other  publications  authorized  were  a  Handbook  of  Rushing  Rules  to  be 
compiled  by  the  Province  Presidents  with  Mrs.  Roberts  as  chairman;  a  new 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  Calendar,  the  proceeds  of  which  should  go  to  the  Reserve 
Fund;  a  book  containing  the  ceremonies  and  prescribed  forms;  and  Miss 
Armstrong  was  appointed  to  compose  an  Alpha  Chi  Omega  symphony  for 
publication.  The  chapters  were  requested  to  subscribe  annually  to  Santa's 
Greek  Exchange. 

Important  steps  were  taken  toward  the  further  systematization  of  the 
ever  increasing  volume  of  the  lousiness  of  the  Fraternity.  Mrs.  Crann  was 
appointed  "to  decide  on  a  uniform  system  of  filing"  ;  a  committee  was  ordered 
to  formulate  a  uniform  system  of  report  blanks;  Miss  Zimmerman  was 
authorized  to  revise  and  distribute  chapter  officers'  instructions ;  uniform 
handbooks  for  the  use  of  Council  members  were  ordered ;  and  a  standing 
committee  of  one  was  authorized  "to  have  charge  of  all  the  official  supplies 


Nationai.  Council  Meetings  213 

of  the  Fraternity."  Stenographic  htly)  for  Council  members,  particularly 
the  Inspector,  was  authorized. 

In  order  to  ujihold  the  standard  of  the  r'raternity  for  high  scholarship, 
it  was  recjuired  "that  the  initiation  of  sopliomores  and  freshmen  I)e  deferred 
until  scholarship  records,  ranking  80  or  aI)o\-e,  he  made  for  preceding 
semester."  And  to  insure  hroadmindedness  and  college  loyalty  among  the 
members,  it  was  re(|uired  that  each  active  member  "take  part  in  at  least  two 
different  lines  of  college  activities." 

Responding  to  the  need  of  nianv  local  chapters  in  tlieir  work  of  ac(]uiring 
ownership  of  chapter  houses,  the  Council  decided  thai  a  cha|ilcr  house  com- 
mittee from  the  Council  should  serve  as  an  advisory  committee  with  the  local 
committees  from  the  chapters,  and  formulate  plans  for  financing  the  building 
of  the  houses  desired. 

The  Council  desired  very  much  to  further  the  intere.st  and  activity  of  the 
alumna\  The  formation  of  alumn;t  clubs  was,  therefore,  recommended  in 
small  cities  or  college  towns.  Such  clubs  were  to  consist  of  not  less  than  six 
members,  and  to  be  organized  after  an  informal  petition  lias  I)een  accepted 
by  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Fraternity.  A  deputy  to  the  National 
Treasurer  was  appointed  to  assist  her  with  the  matter  of  alumnie  notes. 

A  communication  from  the  Delta  Upsilon  Fraternity  was  read  requesting 
representation  from  Alpha  Chi  Omega  at  an  interfraternity  conference  at 
Chicago,  May  30,  for  the  discussion  of  antifraternity  legislation.  Mrs.  Loud 
and  Mrs.  Crann  were  cho.sen  as  Alpha  Chi  Omega  representatives. 

Incidental  to  the  Council  meetings  and  the  installation  of  Upsilon, 
numerous  courtesies  were  extended,  during  the  stay  of  the  council,  from  fac- 
ulty members,  from  fraternities,  and  from  resident  and  neighboring  members 
of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  One  of  the  greatest  of  the  pleasures  of  the  week  was 
a  day  spent  with  Iota  Chapter  and  her  alumnjE  in  Champaign. 

Twelfth  Crand  Council  Meeting 

The  Council  meeting  of  1914  was  held  following  the  National  Panhellenic 
Congress  at  the  McAlpin  Hotel,  New  \'ork  City.  All  C"ouncil  members 
were  present : 

National  President,  Alta  Allen  Loud. 

National  Vice-president,   Fay   Barnaby   Kent. 

National  Secretary,  Birdean  Motter  Ely. 

National  Treasurer,  Lillian  G.  Zimmerman. 

National  Editor,  Florence  A.  Armstrong. 

National  Inspector.  Lois  Smith  Crann. 

The  Council,  at  this  session,  accepted,  with  regret,  the  resignation  of  Alice 
Watson  Dixon,  President  of  the  Eastern  and  Southern  l^rovinces.  Mrs. 
Hatswell-Bowman  was  appointed  as  her  successor. 

The  Council  Trophv,  which  had  been  won  by  Omicron  Chapter  in  1913, 
was  awarded  to  Alpha  Chapter.  Appreciation  and  commendation  were 
expressed,  of  the  work  of  Mu  and  Zeta  Chapters,  which  ranked  high  in  gen- 
eral fraternity  relations. 


214  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

It  was  recommended  to  Convention  that  a  second  edition  of  the  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  History  he  published.  A  committee  to  compile  and  present 
preliminary  information  to  1915  Convention  was  appointed,  to  consist  of  Miss 
Armstrong,  Mrs.  Ely,  Mrs.  Nafis.  The  balance  accruing  from  the  sale  of  the 
first  edition  was  ordered  kept  separate  as  a  History  Fund. 

Chapters  were  informed  "that  the  present  edition  of  the  History  is  so 
nearly  exhausted  that  the  initiates  will  be  excused  from  the  History  require- 
ment, and  that  at  the  time  of  publication  of  a  second  edition  each  active 
member  not  owning  a  copv  of  the  earlier  edition  will  be  required  to  purchase 
a  copy." 

Various  committees  on  publications  reported  on  their  work.  Among  these 
reports  was  one  on  the  Official  Symphony  recommending  that  the  present 
Symphony,  by  Celia  E.  McClure,  A,  be  adopted  as  official.  This  was  done. 
The  calendar  committee  reported  that  the  calendar  was  taken  care  of  by 
Kappa  Chapter  for  1913,  and  by  Delta  Chapter  for  1914,  funds  to  be  used 
for  the  Reserve  Fund. 

A  new  seal,  designed  by  Mrs.  Ely,  was  adopted  as  the  Official  Seal  of  the 
Fraternity. 

The  matter  of  chapter  house  building  was  discussed  thoroughly,  and  the 
recommendation  made  to  the  Reserve  Fund  Committee  "that  when  a  chapter 
petitioning  for  a  loan  has  raised  one  thousand  dollars  or  more  toward  a  build- 
ing fund,  an  equal  amount  shall  be  loaned  to  them  from  the  Reserve  Fund." 
Regulations  for  loans,  and  for  the  compilation  of  instructions  for  house 
building  were  passed. 

After  the  results  of  exhaustive  investigation  had  been  reported,  the  Coun- 
cil voted  to  accept  the  invitation  of  Epsilon  and  Delta  Delta  to  hold  conven- 
tion the  last  week  in  June,  1915,  at  the  Hotel  Virginia,  Long  Beach,  Cali- 
fornia, because  of  the  greater  adaptability  of  this  city.  The  appointment  of 
a  joint  committee  on  arrangements  was  ordered  from  Epsilon  and  Delta  Delta 
Chapters,  a  local  manager  to  be  selected  from  this  committee. 

The  Chair  appointed  the  following  convention  committees : 

Convention  Publicity  Committee,  Miss  Armstrong,  Mrs.  Kent. 

Advertising  Committee,  Mrs.  Ely,  Miss  Armstrong. 

Finance  Committee,  Miss  Zimmerman,  Mrs.  Loud. 

Special  Convention  Train  Committee,  Miss  Zimmerman,  Mrs.  Loud. 

Convention  Program  Committee,  Mrs.  Crann,  Mrs.  Loud. 

The  Council  was  delightfully  entertained  at  dinner  by  Gamma  Gamma 
Chapter  at  the  Peg  Woffington  Coffee  House,  and  enjoyed  their  hospitality 
also  at  an  opera  given  by  the  Century  Opera  Company.  This  chapter  had 
represented  Alpha  Chi  Omega  most  efficiently  and  acceptably  as  hostess  of 
the  National  Panhellenic  Congress  at  its  sessions  throughout  the  preceding 
days. 

Thirteenth  National  Council  Meeting 

The  formal  Council  sessions  of  the  Thirteenth  National  Council  meeting 
were  held  on  June  28,  1915,  at  Hotel  Virginia,  Long  Beach,  California.  On 
the  special  train  en  route  to   California,   numerous  informal   sessions  of  the 


Naiionai,  Coi.xciL  Mkktings  215 

Council  were  held,  and  a  great  amount  of  discussion  pending  action  was 
finished.  Problems  of  various  cliapters  were  carefully  discussed,  with  refer- 
ence, when  desirable,  to  the  delegate  of  the  chapter  concerned,  wlio  was  on 
board  the  special  train.  Numberless  conferences  were  held  with  delegates 
and  alumnte.  and  between  them,  so  that  the  business,  both  of  National  Council 
and  of  National  Con\-ention.  was  facilitated  greatly. 

The  roll  call  at  the  Council  session  on  June  28  showed  full  attendance: 

National  President,  Alta  Allen  Loud. 

National  Vice-president,   Fay   Barnaby   Kent. 

National  Secretary,   Birdean  M otter  Ely. 

National  Treasurer,  Lillian   C.  Zimmerman. 

National  Editor,  Florence  A.  Armstrong. 

National  Inspector,   Lois  Smith   Crann. 

The  action  of  the  Council,  after  the  hearing  of  officers'  reports,  consisted 
of  recommendations  to  the  convention  to  follow :  a  budget  system  for  Council 
expense;  a  life^subscription  for  initiates;  the  appointment  of  J.  F.  Newman 
as  sole  official  jeweler  of  the  Fraternity ;  the  purchase  of  a  badge  at  initiation; 
the  adoption  of  a  uniform  die  for  badge  to  be  made  in  gold  set  with  three 
pearls,  three  diamonds,  or  any  desired  combinations  of  these  stones  beside  the 
three  required  jewels. 

The  Council  adjourned  to  meet  with  tlie  National  Convention  the  next  day. 

Fourteenth  National  Council  Meeting 

The  National  Council  met  at  the  Lambda  Chapter  Hou.se,  Syracuse, 
New  York.  June  20-26,  1916.     All  members  were  present  as  follows: 

National  President.  Alta  Allen  Loud. 

First  Vice-president,  Lillian  G.  Zimmerman. 

Second  Vice-president.  Maude  Staiger  Steiner. 

National  Secretary,  Mary-Emma  Griffith. 

National  Treasurer,  Myra  H.  Jones. 

National  Editor,  Florence  Armstrong. 

National  Inspector,  Nella  Ramsdell  Fall. 

At  this  session  the  resignation  of  Frances  Kirkwood,  Eastern  Province 
President,  was  accepted  with  regret,  and  Mrs.  W.  C.  Jackson  was  asked  to 
serve  in  the  office  for  the  unexpired  term.  After  the  consideration  of  the 
reports  of  chapters.  Alpha  Chapter  was  awarded  the  Council  Trophy.  It 
was  decided  that  in  the  future  two  or  more  nominations  for  alumnte  advisers 
should  be  sent  to  the  National  Inspector  for  appointment.  A  formal 
petition  from  Alpha  Theta  Sigma,  an  eight-year  old  local  at  the  Washington 
State  College  Avas  granted.  Other  petitions  were  considered  but  not  granted. 
A  National  Scholarship  Committee  and  a  National  Vocational  Committee 
were  added  to  the  list  of  Standing  Committees. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

INSIGNIA  AND  HERALDRY 

There  is  nothing  in  fraternity  symbolism  that  holds  more  permanent 
memories  of  fraternity  ideals  and  vows  than  their  outward  emblem,  the  badge. 
Into  its  selection,  its  component  parts,  its  entire  whole,  have  been  breathed 
the  hope,  the  love,  and  the  loftiest  aspirations  of  which  young  hearts  are 
capable,  and  which,  because  grounded  in  noble  essence,  exert  an  influence 
that  can  outlive  life. 

The  beautiful  badge  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  is  a  Greek  lyre  of  gold,  having 
three  twisted  strings  spanned  diagonally  by  a  raised  and  slightly  rounded 
scroll  of  black  enamel  bearing  the  Greek  letters  A  X  fl  in  gold.  The  badge 
may  be  jeweled  or  may  be  of  plain  or  chased  gold  except  that,  siruce  the 
ruling  of  the  1897  Convention,  it  must  contain  the  three  required  jewels,  one 
at  each  upper,  outer  corner  and  one  in  the  center  just  below  the  strings,  at 
the  head  of  the  triangular  base  of  the  lyre.  The  1910  Grand  Chapter 
restricted  the  choice  of  jewels  to  pearls  or  diamonds  or  a  combination  of 
both.  This  lyre  may  be  accompanied  by  an  attached  pin  in  the  form  of  a 
Greek  letter  to  signify  the  chapter.  The  badge  may  be  worn  only  by  initiated 
members  of  the  Fraternity,  to  all  of  whom  the  "Mysteries  of  the  lyre"  have 
a  deep  significance. 

The  original  badge  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  is  in  its  integral  parts  identical 
with  the  one  now  constituting  the  official  die.  The  differences  are  that  in 
the  first  badge  the  size  is  larger  than  in  the  present  pins ;  the  choice  of 
jewels  conformed  to  the  taste  of  the  owner  ;  the  strings  are  plain,  not  twisted ; 
the  scroll  is  flat  and  of  gold,  bearing  the  three  Greek  letters  in  black,  just 
the  reverse  of  the  present  scroll. 

In  the  interest  of  future  uniformity  and  of  a  closer  kinship  of  pins,  the 
1906  Grand  Chapter  ordered  an  ofiicial  die  for  the  badge,  and,  further  to 
safeguard  its  exact  design  and  individuality,  provided  for  the  use  of  identifi- 
cation certificates  which  must  now  accompany  all  orders.  The  badge  is  made 
only  by  the  official  jewelers  who  receive  the  certificates  through  the  Custodian 
of  the  Badge — an  officer  appointed  by  the  National  President. 

As  the  custom  of  pledging  Greek  novitiates  with  ribbons  has  survived 
even  to  the  present  time,  it  is  evident  that  a  pledge  pin  was  not  considered 
necessary  in  the  early  fraternity  days.  The  small  bow  of  scarlet  and  olive 
green  served  then,  as  it  does  now  in  many  institutions,  to  proclaim  its  wear- 
ers "followers  of  the  Queen,"  but  in  1893  the  less  conspicuous  and  more 
dignified  system  of  pledging  with  a  pin  was  instituted,  at  which  time  the 
design  selected  consisted  of  a  gold  stick  pin  in  the  shape  of  a  lyre  bearing 
a  white  enamel  chapter  letter.  As  this  design  was  not  entirely  satisfactory, 
the  1900  Grand  Chapter  adopted  the  pledge  pin  now  in  use — a  small  diamond 
shaped  pin  half  of  scarlet  and  half  of  olive  enamel,  bearing  in  the  center 
an  inlaid  golden  lyre.  This  pledge  pin  may  be  worn  by  any  pledged  member 
of  the  Fraternity.  The  custom  of  using  pins  instead  of  ribbons  is  constantly 
gaining  favor  among  the  fraternities  and  is,  in  some  institutions,  a  Panhellenic 
requirement. 


InSIGMA    AM)    1 1  KRAI, DRV  217 

The  Honor  Pin  was  adopted  by  the  1910  (jrand  Chapter  to  be  awarded 
as  a  token  of  appreciation  Ijy  Alpha  Chi  Omega  to  her  retiring  National  Coun- 
cil Officers  who  liavc  faithfully  served  one  full  term  of  office.  Winifred  Van 
Buskirk  Mount  and  Fay  Barnaby  Kent  (with  whom  the  idea  originated),  as  a 
committee,  selected  the  design  which  they  felt  the  most  significant  mark  of 
honor,  a  tiny  head  of  the  Patron  (loddess,  Hera.  This  is  a  very  fine  produc- 
tion in  solid  gold  of  one  of  the  old  sculptures  and  is  perfect  in  detail.  On  the 
back  of  the  pin  is  engraved  the  name  of  the  recipient,  her  special  office  on 
the  Council,  and  the  dates  of  its  fulfillment. 

The  plate  on  the  next  page  illustrates  the  various  official  pins  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega.  The  lyres  are  planned  to  show  three  stages  in  the  transition  of  the 
badge  from  1885  to  the  present  time.  Figure  1  illustrates  one  of  the  first  three 
badges  made  in  1885,  being  set  with  half-pearls  and  rubies;  figure  2 
represents  a  pin  made  ten  years  later  with  half-pearls  and  three  diamonds; 
while  figures  3,  4,  and  5  illustrate  badges  made  in  1911  from  the  official 
die,  showing  the  three  sizes  used  and  the  forms  of  settings,  3  and  5  being 
jeweled  with  crown  set  pearls  and  the  three  required  stones  of  diamonds, 
while  figure  4  represents  a  pin  of  chased  gold  with  diamonds  as  the  three 
required   jewels. 

Figures  6  and  7  illustrate  two  types  of  the  pledge  pin,  and  figure  8 
represents  the  honor  pin. 

To  Alta  Allen  Loud  (Grand  President),  Mary  Jones  Tennant  (Inspec- 
tor), Florence  Reed  Haseltine  (Editor  of  The  Lyre),  Frank  Busey  Soule 
(Grand  Secretary),  and  Mabel  Harriet  Siller  (Grand  Historian),  the  first 
Honor  Pins  were  awarded  with  a  deep  sense  of  appreciation  and  gratitude 
for  the  energy  they  have  given  to  fraternity  work.  They  have  since  been 
presented  to  Myrta  McKean  Dennis  (Grand  Inspector),  Winifred  Van  Bus- 
kirk Mount  (Grand  Treasurer),  Helen  M.  Hardie  (Grand  Secretary),  Lois 
Smith  Crann  (National  Inspector),  Birdean  Motter  Ely  (National  Secretary), 
and  Fay  Barnaby  Kent  (National  Vice-president).  Hereafter  they  will  wear 
the  head  of  Hera  beside  the  lyre  as  a  symbol  of  their  unselfish  devotion  to 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  and  as  a  token  of  the  love,  regard,  and  appreciation  of 
the  sisters  to  these,  her  highly  honored  members.  May  the  wearers  of  the 
Honor  Pin  always  meet  with  special  recognition  and  hearty  welcome ! 

The  coat-of-arms  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  which  was  adopted  by  the  1908 
Grand  Chapter,  attests  to  the  careful  work  of  the  committee  appointed  at 
the  1907-  Grand  Council  Meeting,  under  the  chairmanship  of  Alta  Allen 
Loud,  then  Grand  President. 

The  following  exposition  of  the  coat-of-arms  was  given  by  Mrs.  Loud 
in  The  Lyre,  for  January,   1910. 

Heraldry,  in  the  restricted  sense  in  which  it  interests  us,  may  be  defined  as  the  art 
of  blazoning  or  describing  in  proper  terms  armorial  bearings.  A  coat-of-arms  is  com- 
posed  of  charges   depicted   on   an   escutcheon   representing    the   old    knightly   shield. 

Particular  symbols  have  in  all  ages  been  assumed  by  the  various  families  of  mankind, 
civilized  and  uncivilized.  All  good  heraldry  is  symbolic.  In  the  heraldry  of  a  fraternity 
there  are  used  only  those  symbols  which  express  its  ideals  and  which  have  a  deep  sig- 
nificance  for  its   members. 


Badges,  Pledge  Pixs,  and  Hoxok  Pin 


Insignia  axd  riKRAi.mn 


219 


The  rules  for  blazoning,  or  describinti;  in  the  technical  language  of  heraldry,  a  coat- 
of-arms,  are  remarkable  for  their  jirecision,  brevity,  and  conijileteness.  The  tirst  thing 
to  be  mentioned  is  the  colors  or,  as  they  are  heraldically  called,  the  tinctures  of  the 
field.  Tinctures  are  either  of  metal,  color  strictly  so  called,  or  fur.  The  colors  are 
denoted  by  lines — i.  e.,  or  heraldically  speaking,  gules,  by  perpendicular  lines ;  green, 
or  vert,  by  diagonal  lines.  Next,  the  character  of  the  partition  lines  when  parted — i.  e., 
chief,  the  upper  part  of  shield,  separated  from  the  rest  by  a  line;  a  fess,  or  horizontal 
band  in  the  middle  of  the  shield.  Ne.xt  follow  the  charges — everything  contained 
on  the  field  of  an  escutcheon  being  called  a  charge — their  names,  number,  position, 
and  color  are  given.  Besides  the  heraldic  devices  dejiicted  on  the  shield,  there  are  the 
appendages,  including  whatever  is  borne  external  to  the  shield,  such  as  the  crest,  and  a 
scroll  bearing  a  motto.     These  mottoes  were  originally  the  war-cries  of  the  bearers. 

Heraldry,  though  arbitrary,  is  \ery  exact,  and  the  rules  of  blazoning  are  observed 
on  all  occasions  with  the  most  rigid  precision.  Repetitions  are  avoided  and  as  few 
words  as  possible  used.  The  following  is  the  Blazon  of  the  official  coat-of-arms,  presented 
by  the  committee,  and   approved   and   adojited  by   the   Fraternity: 


Blazon   of  Alplm.   C/ii   Onicxa   Anns 
(hiles — a  fess  vert — 

Of    the    first    in    middle    chief    an    Open 
Book    Or — in    middle    base    a    Sheaf    of 
Wheat   corded    of   the    same. 
Of    the    srcond — three    mullets — argent. 

A    Lyric    Bird — ppr. 


As  described  in  Greek  letters. 


For  the  benefit  of  those  to  whom  heraldic  description  and  technicalities  are  a  foreign 
tongue,  the   following  translation   is   given  : 


220  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

The  shield  proper  is  red  (gules — perpendicular  lines)  and  divided  by  a  fess  or 
bar  of  olive  (vert).  At  the  top  of  the  shield  field  ("of  the  first"  meaning  red)  is  an 
open  book  in  gold  (or),  and  at  base  point  is  a  garb  or  sheaf  of  wheat  in  same  color 
fastened  with  a  knot.  The  fess  or  bar  has  on  it  three  white  (argent)  stars  (mullets). 
The  crest  of  lyre  bird  is  in  its  natural  color  (ppr).  Below  is  the  scroll,  containing  the 
Greek  words  of  our  revised  open  motto,  2i'OJroi'6aoo)|tiev  xd  avcoTaxa — "Together,  let 
us  seek  the  heights."  The  shield  is  square  and  is  divided  into  three  parts,  the  number 
three   being  significant   in   our   Fraternity. 

Your  committee  has  striven  to  given  you  a  coat-of-arms  absolutely  correct  from 
an  heraldic  standpoint,  marked  by  the  simplicity  and  dignity  for  which  our  Fraternity 
stands,  and  bearing  those  symbols  known  and  honored  by  every  wearer  of  the  lyre. 
Shall  we  not  then  buckle  on  our  armor,  and  like  the  knights  of  old,  go  forth  to  battle 
for   Alpha   Chi    Omega,  keeping   her    fair   name    untarnished,   her    standards   high? 

The  colors  of  the  Fraternity  selected  at  the  time  of  the  founding  were 
scarlet  and  bronze  green,  but  owing  to  the  difficulty  encountered  in  obtain- 
ing the  correct  shade  of  bronze  green,  the  olive  green  was  substituted  during 
the  first  year  of  the  Fraternity. 

Olive  Burnett  Clark  writes  of  the  selection  of  the  colors  as  follows : 

"I  suppose  you  have  heard  how  we  happened  to  decide  upon  our  colors.  We 
found  them  in  the  maple  leaf,  the  October  maple,  beautiful  with  the  tints  of  autumn, 
the  scarlet  and  the  bronze  green — we  found  them  the  day  after  our  first  meeting,  under 
a  maple  tree  in  the  east  college  campus  just  opposite  the  girls'  dormitory,  where  we 
girls  were  standing  debating  the  many  phases  of  the  new  Fraternity — little  dreaming, 
however,  of  the  place  the   future  would  hold   for  us." 

In  a  conversation  at  the  time  of  the  1910  Convention  in  Detroit,  Estelle 
Leonard  gave  an  interesting  account  of  the  fomial  selecting  of  the  colors 
(October  19,  1885).  She  had  been  appointed  to  bring  samples  of  various 
colors  to  the  meeting,  and  after  trying  many  combinations,  the  scarlet  and 
bronze  green  were  adopted.  Doubtless  this  selection  was  the  result  of  the 
conversation  mentioned  in  the  above  paragraph. 

As  the  choice  of  a  flower  for  a  secret  organization  involves  many  con- 
siderations, it  is  a  matter  of  deep  satisfaction  in  Alpha  Chi  Omega  that  the 
founders  incorporated  into  the  insignia  of  the  Fraternity,  so  beautiful,  so 
significant,  and  so  adaptable  a  flower  as  the  red  carnation,  and  with  wise 
forethought,  added  as  its  accompaniment,  the  graceful  smilax,  with  its  mes- 
sage of  hope.  They  not  only  typify  the  colors  of  the  Fraternity,  and  at  all 
times  of  the  year  lend  themselves  with  cheery  brightness  to  the  joys  and 
festivities,  and  even  to  the  more  solemn  occasions  of  the  Fraternity;  but  their 
symbolism  reaches  far  deeper,  in  the  ritual,  and  in  the  hearts  of  the  members 
of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  Alpha  Chi  Omega  should  never  lack  inspiration  to 
reach  the  "Heights,"  from  the  legend  of  the  red  carnation  and  smilax  alone. 

The  Holly  Tree,  also  eloquent  of  the  scarlet  and  olive,  as  well  as  of 
many  beautiful  thoughts,  was  adopted  bv  the  1908  Grand  Chapter  as  the 
Fraternity  Tree.  The  symbolism  of  this  tree  is  well  expressed  in  two  poems 
written  respectively  by  Florence  Fall  (Beta)  published  in  The  Lyre  for 
January,  1909,  and  by  Lucv  Loane  (Delta)  published  in  The  Lyre  for 
January,  1911. 


Insignia  and  Heraldry  221 

The  Holly   Tree 
Oh,  the  holly  tree  is  the  tree  for  me, 
With  branches  tossing  merrily  ; 

Its  branches  bright 

Bring  gay  delight, 
A  merry  tree  is  the  holly  tree. 

Oh,  a  loving  tree  is  the  holly  tree. 
Crooning  a  lullaby  tenderly, 

While  the  stars  o'erhead 

Look  down,  and  shed 
Their  heavenly  light  on  the  holly  tree. 

Oh,  a  holy  tree  is  the  holly  tree, 

Its  red  stands  for  blood  shed  on  Calvary, 

Its  thorns  for  the  crown 

From  which  blood  trinkled  down 
When  it  circled  His  brow,  as  He  hung  on  the  tree. 

Oh,  the  holly  tree  is  the  Christmas  tree, 
And  the  message  it  brings  to  you  and  me 

Is  of  peace  on  earth, 

And  a  Savior's  birth — - 
Oh.  tlie  tree  for  me  is  the  holly  tree. 

Florence  Fall,,  Beta. 

To  the  Alpha  Chi  Tree 
Oh  1     Holly  Tree,   we  look  on  thee 
And  lo — the  Christmas  cheer 
Thrills  deep  within  our  inmost  heart 
And  banishes  each  fear. 

Oh!    Holly  Tree,  we  look  on  thee, 
We  see  thy  colors  bright. 
They  tell  again  of  God's  great  gift 
On  that  first  Christmas  night. 

Oh  !  Holly  Tree,  thy  living  green, 
A  lesson — so  'twould  seem — 
Imparts  to  us,  "  'Tis  always  best 
To  do — and  not  to  dream." 

Oh !  Holly  Tree,  thy  gleaming  red 

Has  counsel  for  us  too — 

"Hope  shines  throughout   the  gloom,"   it  says; 

"Strive  on — forever  true." 

Of  God's  great  gift,  of  lessons  true 
You  tell  us  all  the  while. 
So  we,  when  met  with  duties  stern. 
Dream  not — but  hope  and  smile. 

Luc\  Evch'u  Loanc.  Delta 


222 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraiernity 


Ever  since  Alpha  Chi  ( )mega  enthusiasm  was  born  in  1885  it  has  con- 
tinued to  express  itself  in  tangible  forms  by  the  acquisition  of  many  fra- 
ternity emblems,  none  of  \vhich  have  held  a  more  prominent  place  in  college 
rooms  and  in  fraternity  halls  than  the  various  Alpha  Chi  Omega  flags. 
These  flags  have  usually  been  expressions  of  personal  taste  in  the  adaptation 
of  the  colors,  the  Greek  letters — A  X  fJ — and  the  lyre.  As  the  Fraternity 
developed  in  uniformity,  it  was  thought  best  to  have  an  official  flag,  which 
would  be  individual,  significant,  and  which  would  at  the  same  time,  conform 
to  heraldic  principles.  Hence  in  1908,  a  committee,  consisting  of  Fay 
Barnaby  Kent  and  Mabel  Harriet  Siller,  was  appointed  to  select  such  a 
flag.  This  committee  studied  the  matter  thoughtfully  and  carefully,  sub- 
mitting to  the  Grand  Council  many  drawings,  both  professional  and  amateur, 
with  the  result  that  a  design  drawn  by  Mabel  H.  Siller  was  selected  and 
adopted  by  the  1910  Grand  Chapter  as  the  official  flag  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 
This  flag  is  a  rectangle  of  olive  green  with  a  scarlet  chevron  extending 
from  the  center  of  the  top  to  the  two  lower  corners  and  bearing  three  olive 
stars  with  white  tracing,  while  below  the  chevron  on  the  olive  field  is  the 
lyre-bird  charge  in  scarlet.  The  flag  is  made  to  be  suspended  from  a  hori- 
zontal bar. 

Although   the  earlier   members   of   the   Fraternity  no   doubt   had   ample 
means  of  expressing  their  enthusiasm  without  a  uniform  "yell,"  the  Conven- 
tion of  1894,  realizing  that  fraternity  ardor  could  best  be  vented  by  means 
of  a  universallv  adopted  cheer,  accordingly  selected  the  following  one : 
Ah!  Ah!  Ah!  Alpha  Chi! 
Hio!   Hio!  Alpha  Chi  Omega! 
As  a  test  of  this  "yell"  showed  the  difficulty  of  vocalizing  the  first  line 
with  sufficient  vim,  the  1896  Convention  revised  it,  presenting  the  one  which 
is  now  in  use  and  which  for  fifteen  years  has  continued  to  raise  echoes  in 
every  section  of  the  country,  in  answer  to  Alpha  Chi  enthusiasm. 
Hi !'  Hi !  Hi !  Alpha  Chi ! 
Chio  !  Chio  !  Alpha  Chi  Omega ! 
The   omnipresent   musical   spirit   in   Alpha   Chi   Omega   also   demanded 
a  share  in  this  happy  means  of  expression  for  fraternity  enthusiasm ;   con- 
sequently the  same  Convention   (1896)    adopted  a  musical  cheer  which  has 
continued  to   grow   in   favor  with   the  years   until   it   has  become   a   popular 
feature  of  Alpha  Chi  gatherings. 


TT 


sd 


^^^ 


^Hl 


a 


A-L-p-H-A- c-H-i   Ai-pha-Chi  0-me-ga. 


S  1  o  A 
S  0.3 


1  o  -1  < 

o   S   °     I 

^  1 1  I 


2, 


p  '^  2.  2 
p  p  -" 

^-.„'^ 

p  3  "  » 

^  > 

3   3   P  > 

o  Od    t: 

>^?  2."     z 


•=■  '^  2.  > 

p  ~ir'2    "^ 

--•r^  3 

c  5    ?; 

pi;  >2 

,     IK!    —  3 
""H-P 
?^        S 
^>- 
■^    — ^ 
P    ~ 

o    P 


224 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


The  national  whistle  of  the  Fraternity  was  first  recorded  officially  May 
24,  1887,  when  a  motion  was  passed  that  it  should  be  inserted  in  the  constitu- 
tion. This  whistle  which  has  summoned  an  Alpha  Chi  for  the  past  twenty- 
five  years  and  to  which  one  never  fails  to  respond,  is  as  follows : 

CALL  ANSWER 


i 


¥ 


When  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  founded  the  significance  of  the  name 
selected  was  considered  the  secret  motto.  The  matter  of  a  separate  motto 
was  discussed  at  several  conventions,  but  nothing  was  definitely  determined 
until  1908,  when  the  Grand  Chapter  adopted  a  distinctively  secret  motto, 
suggested  by  Florence  Reed  Haseltine,  thus  preserving  forever  the  "Alpha 
Chi  Omega,"  as  the  larger  meaning  of  the  name  alone. 

At  a  meeting  held  May  24,  1887,  Alpha  Chapter  selected  the  open 
motto,  "Ye  daughters  of  Music,  come  up  higher,"  presented  by  Mary  Jones 
(Mrs.  Tennant).  It  became  advisable  later  to  consider  an  open  motto 
which  would  be  equally  representative  of  the  various  elements  composing 
the  fraternity  membership.  As  the  open  motto  had  become  very  dear  within 
the  Fraternity,  it  was  considered  best  to  retain  its  thought  as  far  as  possible. 
After  much  consideration,  the  matter  was  satisfactorily  adjusted  by  the  adop- 
tion in  1909  of  the  motto,  "Together  let  us  seek  the  Heights,"  suggested  by 
Alta  Allen  Loud. 


Seal  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega 


It  is  the  work  of  years  to  establish  traditions,  to  gain  a  proper  perspective 
of  events  and  values.  The  early  members  of  any  organization  are  too  much 
occupied  with  construction  to  linger  in  ac'miration  of  what  lies  close  at  hand. 


Insignia  and  Heraldry  225 

Rather  is  it  given  to  tliose  who  succeed  to  the  lieritage  of  their  labors  to 
pause  in  contemplation  of  tlieir  achievements  and  reverently  to  do  homage 
to  the  love,  skill,  and  uncounted  time  which  so  generously  have  been  given. 

Hence  such  customs  as  the  celebration  of  l-'ounders'  Day  and  chapter 
anniversaries,  and  the  more  quiet  courtesy  of  anniversary  letters  from  the 
Grand  Council  to  the  founders  and  to  Dean  Howe,  grow  in  importance  and 
significance  with  each  passing  year.  Founders'  Day  is  celebrated  through- 
out the  Fraternity  by  chapter  letters  to  the  founders,  by  alumnije  reunions, 
programs,  and  reminiscences,  and  often  by  informal  social  affairs  planned  in 
honor  of  the  day;  chapter  anniversaries  are  celebrated  by  special  ceremonies 
and  festivities  of  individual  chapter  choice,  often  including  the  exchanging 
of  college  pennants,  chapter  pictures,  and  letters  among  the  active  chapters. 
The  colors  of  the  Fraternity  are  worn  by  the  active  members  on  both  these 
occasions  as  well  as  on  the  days  of  installation  of  new  chapters. 

Other  customs  of  recent  years  are  the  awarding  by  The  Lyre  annually 
of  a  prize  for  the  best  undergraduate  article  in  the  'E/,X£7,Ta  department  of 
The  Lyre :  the  annual  presentation  of  llie  Lyre  Loving-cup  to  that  chapter 
W'hich  ranks  highest  in  its  Lyre  relations,  the  decision  resting  upon  literary 
excellence  of  contributions,  and  upon  promptness  and  businesslike  methods, 
the  name  of  the  winning  chapter  and  the  year  being  engraved  upon  the  cup ; 
the  presentation  of  a  loving-cup  by  the  National  Council  to  the  chapter  enter- 
taining Grand  Chapter,  the  cup  to  be  retained  until  the  following  con- 
vention ;  and  the  presentation  of  a  loving-cup  by  the  Fraternity  to  that  chapter 
which  ranks  highest  in  fraternal  relations. 

In  1909,  Iota  Chapter  inaugurated  the  custom,  which  has  since  been 
followed  bv  some  chapters,  of  awarding  a  loving-cup  at  the  annual  chapter 
reunion,  to  the  freshman  having  the  highest  scholarship  for  that  year.  This 
cup  also  rotates  from  year  to  year,  each  time  having  engraved  upon  it  the 
name  of  the  honored  freshman. 

Several  of  the  chapters  have  the  custom  of  holding  annual  reunions, 
usually  at  commencement  time,  when  every  effort  is  made  to  secure  a  large 
attendance.  Mu's  reunion  takes  the  form  of  an  annual  house  party  during 
commencement.  At  these  times  banquets  and  other  social  affairs  add  to  the 
natural  pleasure  of  meeting  with  old  friends  amid  the  familiar  college  scenes. 

Aside  from  the  beautiful  and  impressive  initiation  service  the  Fraternity 
has  appropriate  ceremonies  including  the  pledging,  installation  of  officers, 
opening  and  closing  of  cliapter  meetings,  anniversary,  valedictory,  memorial, 
and   affiliation  ceremonies. 


CHAPTER  XV 

THE  LYRE 

A  fraternity  is  largely  judged  on  the  part  of  those  outside  of  its  meml)er- 
ship  by  the  journal  that  it  publishes,  and  for  this  reason  it  is  important  that 
this  official  organ,  which  reaches  the  major  part  of  the  Greek  world,  should 
represent  the  Fraternity  at  its  true  value.  In  this  respect  the  development 
of  The  Lyre  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  has  been  parallel  with  the  growth  of  the 
Fraternity. 

Alpha  Chi  Omega  first  formally  considered  the  matter  of  a  fraternity 
publication  when  there  were  but  four  chapters.  At  the  lirst  Convention  in 
Greencastle  (1891)  a  motion  was  carried  that  "the  fraternity  publication  be 
put  in  the  hands  of  Beta  Chapter,  the  name  of  it  to  be  decided  during  the  j^ear 
and  the  publication  to  be  introduced  when  Epsilon  and  Zeta  Chapters  shall 
have  been  established."  As  these  chapters  were  not  installed  until  four  years 
later,  the  records  contain  no  further  mention  of  a  journal  until  1894.  The 
minutes  of  the  convention  of  that  year  record  the  passing  of  a  motion  authoriz- 
ing Alpha  to  undertake  the  publication  of  the  journal,  and  specifying  that  all 
items  should  be  sent  to  Alpha  in  April  of  that  year,  bv  which  motion  it  must 
be  inferred  that  the  ruling  of  the  1891  Convention,  authorizing  a  publication 
when  the  chapters  Epsilon  and  Zeta  should  be  established,  Avas  set  aside. 
Alpha  at  once  transferred  the  responsibility  of  general  management  of  the 
journal  to  one  of  her  members,  Mayme  Jennings,  as  editor,  assisted  by  Adeline 
Rowley  and  Zella  Marshall,  with  the  result  that  in  June,  1894,  Volume  I, 
Number  I  of  The  Lyre  made  its  appearance,  the  name  being  selected  as  that 
of  the  most  significant  emblem  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

In  this  number  the  editor  writes,  "Since  there  were  no  explicit  directions 
given  at  the  Convention,  I  have  followed  what  I  felt  to  be  the  unexpressed 
wishes  of  all — that  is,  that  The  Lyre  should  be  convenient  and  simple,  though 
not  elegant  in  form."  But  one  number  was  published  that  year ;  it  contains 
historical  sketches  of  the  chapters,  chapter  letters,  personals,  an  account  of  the 
1894  Convention,  and  programs  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  musicales.  The  forty 
pages  of  that  number  are  of  the  same  dimensions  as  in  the  present  journal  (six 
by  nine  inches)  ;  the  cover  design  in  pale  blue  is  very  simple,  bearing  the 
inscription : 

"Ye   Daughters  of   Music  Come  up   Higher." 

THE  LYRE 

of 

Alpha  Chi  Omega 

June,   1894. 

As  there  were  at  this  time  but  four  chapters,  having  an  average  existence 
of  only  five  years,   with  a 'correspondinglv  small  membership,  and  as  there 


'I'm:   I.VKI-:  227 

was  no  obligatory  financial  support  prtuided  for  tlic  journal,  it  is  not  strange 
that  the  next  issue  of  '/'//,•  L.yrr  hears  the  date  of  March,  1897,  and  that  it  is 
No.  I,  Vol.  II.  This  numlier  was  luihlished  vnider  the  management  of 
Alpha  Chapter,  with  Mary  Janet  Wilson  as  editor-in-chief,  thus  fulfilling 
the  ruling  made  at  the  1896  Convention,  which  provided  for  the  publication 
of  the  journal  by  the  mother  chapter.  This  number  of  The  Lyre  followed 
the  same  general  plan  of  composition  as  the  first  issue,  differing  only  in  having 
an  olive  instead  of  a  blue  cover,  and  in  containing  several  articles  of  general 
musical  and  fraternitv  interest  l)v  various  contributors,  and  more  advertise- 
ments. In  this  year  (1897)  it  was  decided  to  jJubUsh  The  Lyre  quarterly, 
and  it  is  a  matter  for  sincere  gratification  that  in  spite  of  a  crude  and 
insufficient  financial  system,  the  deep  loyalty  and  self-sacrificing  efforts 
of  the  early  editors  carried  everv  number  of  The  Lyre  through  to  publication, 
with  the  exception  of  two  issues,  numbers  3  and  4  of  Volume  VIII. 

Mary  Janet  Wilst)n  continued  her  successful  work  as  editor  until  1900, 
when  with  deep  regret  the  1900  Convention  was  obliged  to  accept  her  resig- 
nation, realizing  that  no  greater  example  of  the  tireless,  sacrificing  work 
necessary  to  successful  fraternity  achievements,  had  come  within  its  experi- 
ence. Motions  were  passed  at  once  requiring  better  chapter  support  for  the 
journal,  and  Edith  Manchester  (Zeta)  was  elected  editor.  A  sum  was 
appropriated  from  the  (irand  Treasury  for  the  publication  of  the  journal, 
the  surplus  to  be  retained  by  the  editor  as  remuneration.  With  this  provision 
and  with  the  increasing  circulation  made  possible  by  the  growth  of  the 
Fraternitv.  the  editor  and  her  assistant,  Mary  Ferine  (Beta),  appointed  in 
1902,  were  able  to  furnish  the  Fraternity  with  a  magazine  constantly  improv- 
ing in  its  many  phases.  More  articles  were  added  to  the  contents,  an  exchange 
department  was  instituted,  the  (]ualitv  of  paper  and  composition  improved, 
and  a  general  spirit  of  enthusiasm  and  loyalty  pervaded  the  journal.  There 
were  still  serious,  continuous,  and  often  discouraging  difficulties  to  be  over- 
come, and  the  spirit  which'  for  five  years  held  this  staff  to  their  task  is  but 
another  instance  of  the  inspiring  devotion  which  enables  the  few  to  work 
willingly  for  the  many. 

The  (Jrand  Council  Meeting  of  1905  regretfully  accepted  the  resignation 
of  Edith  Manchester  (iriffin  and  Mary  Ferine,  and  elected  to  their  respective 
positions  Elma  Fatton  \\'ade  and  Jennie  McHatton,  both  of  Alpha  Chapter. 
After  a  persistent  circulation  cam])aign  had  been  conducted,  the  system  of 
bookkeeping  reorganized,  and  more  ad\ertising  secured,  this  staff  was  able 
at  its  termination  of  service  in  1907  to  transfer  the  i)ublication  to  another 
management  in  a  better  condition  than  it  had  yet  attained.  Only  two  years 
of  service  could  be  given  to  the  Fraternity  by  Mrs.  Wade  and  Miss  McHatton, 
but  it  was  a  two  years  crowded  with  unceasing  labor  and  growing  efficiency 
for  The  Lyre. 

At  the  Grand  Council  Meeting  of  1907,  Florence  Reed  Haseltine  (Zeta) 
was  elected  editor  of  The  Lyre  with  power  to  appoint  her  assistants.  The 
first  of  these  appointments  was  that  of  Laura  Howe,  Grand  Treasurer,  as 
business  manager.  The  Lyre  continued  under  this  efficient  business  manage- 
ment until   the  (Irand  Council   at   its  meeting  in   1909,  after  accepting  with 


Covers  of   The  Lyre 


The  Lyre 


229 


much  regret  Miss  Howe's  resignation,  appointed  Myrta  McKean  Dennis, 
Grand  Treasurer,  to  succeed  her.  During  the  three  years  that  Mrs.  Hasel- 
tine  was  editor,  The  Lyre  showed  a  remarkable,  steady  development.  To 
her,  high  tribute  should  be  paid  as  a  "Maker  of  The  Lyre,"  for  she  raised 
the  standard  and  the  purpose  of  the  jounial.  Besides  a  marked  improve- 
ment in  the  general  composition  of  the  magazine,  with  its  size  nearly 
doubled,  a  better  quality  of  paper  and  type,  and  the  addition  of  many  illus- 
trations, there  was  evolved  by  the  editor  and  the  business  manager  a  gratify- 
ing business  system  which  has  produced  greater  promptness,  greater  loyalty, 
and  better  business  methods  on  the  part  of  chapter  editors  and  Lyre  assistants. 
Chapter  letters,  personals,  and  alumna-  articles  have  grown  in  interest  and 
individuality.     Active  lovaltv  anrl  pride  bave  l)cen  stimulated  by  competitive 


Edith  Manchester,  Zeta 
Editor  The  Lyre,   1905-1906 


Elma  Patton  Wade,  Alpha 


tests  of  representation  in  the  'Ey/AsxTo;  department.  To  her  is  due  the  crea- 
tion of  the  office  of  Chief  Alumna,  successfully  held  under  her  by  Mary 
Ferine  (Beta)  and  Ruth  Buffum  (Iota),  through  whose  efforts  the  interest 
of  many  alumna;  has  been  revived  and  their  cooperation  secured.  The 
Exchange  and  Collegiate  Departments  have  grown,  and  her  editorials,  show- 
ing the  writer's  strong  character  and  personality,  carried  many  a  message 
to  members  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  and  were  widely  quoted  by  other  fraternity 
journals.  In  the  words  of  the  present  editor,  "She  succeeded  in  making 
The  Lyre  literary  and  artistic,  as  well  as  personal  and  practical — a  journal 
of  beauty  and  of  great  usefulness  to  the  Fraternity." 

The  Grand  Chapter  of  1910  was  loath  to  accept  the  resignation  of  Mrs. 
Haseltine  and  Mrs.  Dennis  from  their  offices  of  editor  and  business  manager, 
realizing  that  the  positions  would  be  hard  to  fill.  The  Fraternity  elected  at 
that  time  Florence  A.  Armstrong   (Mu)   as  editor.     The  Lyre  has  shown  a 


230 


The  HisroRv  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega  Fraterxitv 


remarkable  and  steady  growth.  It  has  always  been  published  m  the  same 
size,  six  by  nine.  From  the  iirst  number  containing  forty  pages  it  has 
increased  to  an  average  size  of  more  than  a  hundred  pages  a  number. 

The  journal  today  is  composed  of  the  various  following  departments : 
'E/,A£/.Ta,  containing  articles  contributed  by  active  members;  the  Alumn;t 
Department,  containing  letters,  news  of  alumnie.  and  special  articles  by 
alumnae  in  different  lines  of  work ;  the  Editorial  Department,  which  is 
always  full  of  good  ideas  and  brimming  over  with  the  loyalty  of  the  efficient 
editor ;  Chapter  Letters  :  Personals,  giving  news  items  of  active  and  alumnae 


Florence    Reed    Haseltine 
William  Reed  Haseltine     Edwin  Charles  Haseltine 


members  by  chapters;  Marriages  and  Engagements;  "Ev6a  Kat  "EvOa,  or 
Exchange  Department,  giving  news  of  other  fraternities;  Collegiate  News; 
Announcements.  Besides  the  above-mentioned  departments  there  are  the 
comprehensive  general  articles  upon  topics  of  interest  in  fraternity  and 
college  life,  usually  written  by  prominent  faculty  and  fraternity  members. 
Since  a  fraternity  is  largely  judged  by  its  magazine,  it  is  a  source  of 
general  gratification  and  pleasure  to  all  Alpha  Chis  to  know  that  The  Lyre 
has  iustlv  worked  its  way  into  its  present  place  among  the  very  best  of  the 
fraternity  iournals.  Sincere  gratitude  and  appreciation  are  felt  by  the  entire 
Fraternity  for  the  loyal  work  of  the  editors  and  other  members  of  the  staffs 


The  Lyre 


231 


who  have  bent  every  effort  towards  this  goal.  Too  much  praise  cannot  be 
given  to  Florence  Reed  Haseltine  for  what  she  accomplished  with  her  assis- 
tants, although  The  Lyre  could  not  be  the  remarkably  good  journal  that  it 
is  today  if  a  strong  fountUition  liad  not  been  laid  by  her  predecessors  in  the 
work. 

For  many  years  TJic  Lyre  was  necessarily  a  financial  burden,  though  a 
welcome  one,  to  the  Grand  Treasury.  Today  it  is  self-supporting.  Chapter 
support,  both  financial  and  literary,  has  been  increased  at  the  various  conven- 
tions until  now^  every  initiate  takes  out  a  life  subscription,  while  several 
alumnae  chapters  require  Lyre  subscriptions  of  their  members.  The  manage- 
ment of  The  Lyre  announced  in  the  April,  1911,  number  that  it  was 
ready  to  oft'er  life  subscriptions  (twenty  dollars)  to  alumnit,  thus  saving 
the  subscriber  the  trouble  of  annual  renewal  as  well  as  considerable  expense ; 
at  the  same  time  the  management  was  saved  the  expense  of  obtaining  renewals, 
while  the  interest   from  the  accumulated   fund  makes  the  plan  possible  and 


Celia    E.    McClure 

Author  of  tlie  Alpha  Chi  Omci/a 
Sxint^hony 

practicable.  In  1915  the  lower  rate  of  ten  dollars  for  life  subscriptions  was 
adopted.  The  Lyre  pays  an  annual  salary  to  the  editor  and  allows  the  busi- 
ness manager  a  certain  per  cent  of  all  monev  handled. 

Each  year  every  active  member  is  required  to  write  an  article  of  general 
interest  for  the  'Ey.AexTa,  or  Undergraduate  Department,  and  a  prize  is 
awarded  for  the  best  article.  Several  articles  are  published  in  each  number 
except  November.  These  prizes,  which  have  been  offered  since  1909.  have 
been  awarded,  respectively,  as  follows : 


Winners  of 

College 

Ekiekta  Prizes         Ch 

apter 

Year 

Ruth  Buffum 

I 

'10 

Jane  Harris 

0 

'12 

Lucy  Loane 

A 

•11 

Myra   H.   Jones 

A 

'11 

Celia  E.   McClure 

A 

'12 

Esther  Jov  Lawrence 

tr 

'16 

Xante  of  Article  Date  of  Issue 

Be  Sunny  Nov.,  1909 

The  Way  to  All-Roundness   Apr.,  1910 
An  Allegory  In  Ritual 

Chapter  Finance  Apr.,  1911 

A  Fraternity  Symphony         Jan..  1912 
Sharing        '  julv,  1913 


>32 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omega   Fraternity 


Esther    Kittredge         n  '17     The  Half  Hour  of  Music      July,  1914 

Bess  A.  Will  P  Fraternalism  and  Paternalism 

July.  1915 
Isabelle    Wineland        A  '17      Do  Vou  Know  Your  (iirls?    July.  1916 

For  seYeral  years  the  prize  has  been  a  gold  coat-of-arms  pendent,  a  less 
elaborate  prize  than  the  early  ones  Init  one  that  is  held  precious  because  of 
the  honor  which  attaches  to  it. 

Since  1910  also  a  Lyre  Loving-cup  has  been  awarded  to  that  chapter 
whose  Lyre  relations  for  the  years  have  been  most  worthy  both  as  to  literary 
quality  of  contributions  and  to  general  efficiency  in  cooperation.  Six  awards 
have  been  made :  Xi,  1910-11;  Xi,  1911-12;  Kappa,  1912-13;  Delta,  1913- 
14;  Zeta,   1914-15;  Beta,  1915-16. 

The  cover  designs  of  The  Lyre  were  at  first  very  simple,  containing  little 
more  than  the  lettering  on  the  first  numbers.     There  have  been  nine  different 


Chapter  Letter 


^um 


covers,  some,  however,  varving  only  slightly  from  the  others.  For  many 
years  an  olive  cover  bearing  a  small  Grecian  lyre  in  scarlet  was  used.  With 
the  January,  1908,  number  an  attractive  new  cover  design  (the  work  of  Mr. 
Haseltine)  was  adopted,  composed  of  a  Grecian  temple  bearing  the  letters 
A  X  O.  With  the  number  of  January,  1910,  a  more  elaborate  and  attractive 
design  was  selected,  containing  the  new  coat-of-arms  and  a  (irecian  design 
representing  the  artistic  character  of  Alpha  Chi  (Jmega,  the  artist  being 
John  W.  Norton,  of  Chicago.  Mrs.  Haseltine  also  showed  great  artistic 
judgment  in  selecting  beautiful  and  appropriate  designs  for  the  headings 
of  the  different  departments. 

Since  the  anniversary  celebrating  the  rounding  of  the  quarter-century 
mark  for  Alpha  Chi  Omega  (1910),  The  Lyre,  like  every  other  department 
of  the  Fraternity,  has  progressed  steadily.  The  editor,  Florence  A.  Arm- 
strong, has  continued  in  office  throughout  the  period,  and  with  the  support  of  a 
loyal  staff  and  of  a  great  many  alumnae,  has  been  able  to  work  out  several  defi- 
nite plans.  The  staff  of  The  Lyre  has  seen  few  changes.  In  1912  upon  suc- 
cession to  the  office  of  National  Inspector,  Lois  Smith  Crann,  who  Had  been  a 


TlIK    LVRR 


233 


most  cfru'ieiU  business  inaiia^eT  from  1910-12,  was  followed  by  Xfll  !""..  Harris, 
the  present  incumbent.  The  splendid  work  of  these  two  assistants  has  seen 
the  magazine  reach  a  high  plane  of  businesslike  systematization   and   pros- 


Florence  a.  Armstrong 

Editor    The   Lyre    1910-1917 

parity.  The  office  of  exchange  editor  has  l)een  filled  by  three  persons:  Mary 
Emma  Griffith.  1910-12.  who  retired  because  of  illness;  Kathryn  Morgan, 
1912-16,  who  was  relieved  in  order  that  she  might  devote  her  time  exclusively 
to  the  office  of  Keeper  of  Supplies;  and  Margaret  (irafius  BirkhotT.  1916-. 
Miss  Griffith  and  Miss  Morgan  were  in  close  touch  with  educational  work 
through  their  own  profession  of  pedagogy.  Mrs.  BirkholT  is  a  graduate 
of  the  University  of  Illinois  and  the  wife  of  a  Harvard  ]:)rofessor.  She, 
too,  as  a  consequence,  is  in  touch  with  current  educational  movements. 
Through  the  contributions  of  these  exchange  editors  concerning  educational 
and  fraternitv  questions.  77/(-  Lyre  has  contained  much  timely  information 
which  has  been  appreciated  by  readers  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  and  of  other 
fraternities,  (iladys  Livingston  (^Imstead  served  brilliantly  as  chief  alumna 
from  1910-15.  Her  sketches  of  celebrated  meml)ers  of  Aljjha  Chi  (^mega, 
and  of  her  travels,  are  among  the  most  sparkling  of  the  contril)ution.s  to  T/ie 
Lyre  during  its  history.  In  1915,  as  Gladys  Livingston  Graff,  she  was 
relieved  for  work  on  the  new  history.  Edna  Boicourt  succeeded  her  as 
National  Alumnae  Editor.  Miss  Boicourt  had  studied  at  Baker  University, 
had  graduated  as  a  member  of  Zeta  Chapter  from  the  New  England  Con- 
servatory of  Music,  under  Carl  Baermann,  and  has  since  been  prominent  in 


234 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


fraternity  circles  in  Los  Angeles  both  among  the  graduate  and  alumns 
members.  She  has  a  wide  acquaintance,  therefore,  \vith  alumnae  throughout 
the  United  States.  She  cooperates  with  the  alumnjE  editors  of  The  Lyre  in 
building  up  the  alumnae  news  department. 


Nell  E.  Harris 

Business  Manager  The  Lyre,   1912-1917 


K.A.THKVN   Morgan 
Exchange   Editor,    1912-1916 


The  Board  of  Alumnae  Editors  was  established  previous  to  the  November, 
1913,  edition  which  featured  alumiiie  news.  The  success  of  the  issue  was 
so  pronounced  that  the  November  issue  became  thereafter  a  regular  alumnae 
issue.  For  it  the  alumnae  editors  endeavored  to  secure  news  of  every  alumna. 
The  Board  of  Alumnae  Editors  was  founded  to  supplement  the  service 
rendered  by  the  active  chapter  editors  who  were  unable,  with  the  tremendous 
increase  of  alumnte  membership,  to  keep  in  touch  with  all  these  valued 
members.  The  office  is  filled  by  election  of  the  active  chapter  upon  rati- 
fication by  the  editor  of  The  Lyre.  In  the  phenomenal  growth  of  alum- 
nae interest  and  service  in  the  fraternity  during  the  past  few  years,  we  see 
the  fruits  of  the  striving  of  these  editors,  as  many  other  laborers,  and  to  them 
we  owe,  as  to  the  others  who  have  served  to  the  same  end,  a  great  debt  of 
gratitude. 

To  every  magazine  the  question  of  finances  is  a  matter  of  serious  concern. 
In  1908  The  Lyre  had  reached,  through  the  sagacity  and  indefatigability  of 
the  management,  a  self-supporting  stage.  In  that  year,  as  hitherto  recorded, 
the  National  Convention  passed  a  ruling,  not  unheard  of  among  fraternities. 


The  Lyre 


235 


Gladys  Livixgstox  Graff     Makgaket  Grafius  Birkhoff,  Iota       Edna  Boicourt,  Zeta 
Chief   Alumna,    1911-1915  Exchange    Editor,    1916-  National   Alumnx   Editor,    1915- 


that  each  initiate  should  be  required  to  subscribe  to  the  magazine  for  one 
year  after  graduation  besides  during  her  undergraduate  years.  The  law 
was  arranged  with  foresight,  moreover,  to  require,  at  initiation,  the  payment 
for  the  entire  five  years,  to  save  trouble  in  collection,  and  to  have  the  use 
of  the  amount,  without  shrinkage,  during  the  period.  The  experiment  was 
triumphantly  successful.  The  list  of  alumnae  subscriptions  steadily  increased. 
From  the  pul)lication  of  about  750  copies  in  July,  1910,  the  list  lengthened  to 
1,750  copies  published  in  July,  1915. 

The  rise  in  alumnae  support  was,  however,  not  sufficient  to  meet  the 
reasonable  expectations  of  the  management.  Repeated  subscription  cam- 
paigns, in  which  the  chapters  faithfully  and  laboriously  cooperated,  raised, 
by  means  of  the  "Whirlwind  Campaign"  in  1913,  the  percentage  of  alumnae 
subscribing  to  67  per  cent.  The  editor's  report  in  1914  expressed  dissatis- 
faction with  the  campaign  method,  however,  in  spite  of  its  temporarily 
gratifying  results,  in  the  following  words : 

"The  Whirlwind  Campaign  was  a  success  but  at  a  startling  expenditure 
of  time,  energy,  and  money.  ( Much  of  this  had  devolved  upon  the  members 
in  college.)  We  need  badly  an  automatic  system  of  subscription — only  a 
general  life  subscription  will  ever  answer,  and  the  editor  hopes  to  see  the 
day  when  every  Alpha  Chi  Omega  will  be  a  life  subscriber." 

The  prizes  of  this  campaign  went  to  Mu  (twenty  dollars  in  gold)  who 
achieved  100  per  cent  renewals,  and  to  Beta,  Zeta,  and  Iota,  who  received 
coat-of-arms  spoons  for  especially  good  Avork. 

The  life  subscription  offer  (twenty  dollars),  begun  in  April,  1911,  had 
led  to  but  few  remittances,  although  the  plan  itself  of  a  life  sub.scription 
system  met  with  universal  favor.  The  price  was  too  high  for  general  accep- 
tance, and  the  management  longed  to  be  able  to  oflfer  a  low  rate  with  a  large 
and  steadily  growing  life  subscription  list  to  make  safe  the  reduction  in 
price,  and  to  decrease  the  necessity  of  subscription  campaigns. 


236  Thk  History  of  Alpha  Chi   Omk(;a   Fraternity 

The    1915    ("onYention,    therefore,    at   the   recommendation    of    The  Lyre 
Finance  Board  adopted  a  system  of  life  subscriptions  for  all  initiates.     The 
price  of  the  subscription  \Yas  placed  at  ten  dollars,  or  eleven  dollars  in  three 
annual   installments  of  five  dollars,   three  dollars,  and  three  dollars.      Since 
the  first  payment  of  five  dollars  at  initiation  did  not  increase  the  fee  already 
in  force,  and  the  succeeding  annual  payments  of  three  dollars  ^vere  simple 
to  manage,  the  remarkable  advantage  to  the  individual  and  to  the  Fraternity 
appeared  in  all  its  magnitude.     The  rates  and  terms  to  initiates  were  appli- 
cable also   to   alumnae.      The  measure   was  passed  most   enthusiastically  by 
the  convention,  which  pledged  a  large  number  of  Individual   life   subscrip- 
tions on  the  spot,  a  number  that  was  increased  to  one  hundred  before  the 
next  issue  of  The  Lyre  appeared.     By  this  action   The  Lyre  was  benefited 
enormously,   provided   always,   of   course,   that   its   funds   shall  be  managed 
with  care  and  foresight.     The  present  management  is  of  the  conviction  that 
The  Lyre  Reserve  Fund,  considerable  and  well  invested  as  it  is  at  the  present 
time,  should  be  increased  annually  at  a  reasonable  rate  and  left  untouched. 
The  Lyre  reported  in   1915  a  Reserve  Fund    (begun  three  years  before) 
equal   to   the  amount   of  its   advertising   receipts   for   the   past   three   years. 
The  editor  had  stressed  persistently  the  possibility  and  advantage  of  a  paying 
advertising  department.     Tlie  Lyre,  it  was  seen,  was  a  valuable  advertising 
medium,    both    for    local    and    national    advertising,    and    with    the   support 
of   the   chapters  this   fact   has   been   demonstrated.      The   editor  hopes   and 
is  working  for  the  inauguration  of  syndicated  advertising  for  all  fraternity 
magazines,  by  which  system  the  combined  circulation  of  all  N.  P.  C.  magazines 
would  make  a  strong  appeal  to  conservative  national  advertisers.     It  would 
insure  a  high  grade  of  advertising  and  increased  revenue  for  all  journals. 
Besides  the  conduct  of  The  Lyre  in  general  and  in  detail,  on  sound  busi- 
ness principles,  the  policy  of  the  management  of   The  Lyre  is  distinct  and 
progressive.     Quoting  frcnn  an  editorial  from  the  Argolid  headed  "The  policy 
of  The  Lyre,"  we  disclose  the  well-defined  purpose : 

"To  be  of  constructive  value,  a  fraternity  must  show  a  definite  impress, 
powerfully  made.  This  definite  impress  constitutes  the  character  of  the 
fraternity.  The  impress  Avhich  Alpha  Chi  Omega  makes  is  altogether  noble, 
spelling  attainment,  idealism,  and  service ;  it  must  be  the  work  of  the  frater- 
nity membership  to  increase  the  dynamic  of  a  fraternity's  inspiration,  that  her 
impress  may  be  powerfully  made,  and  may  count  for  social  progress.  This 
is  especially  the  function  of  the  fraternity  magazine. 

"To  increase  the  dynamic  of  the  inspiration  of  the  fraternity  is,  then,  the 
purpose  of  The  Lyre,  and  the  policy  of  the  staff  follows  that  direction,  by 
several  distinct  roads.  All  these  roads  alike  travel  the  region  of  good  citizen- 
ship— college  citizenship,  and  community  citizenship. 

"The  fraternity  journal  is  a  dual  creature — half  newspaper,  half  maga- 
zine; therefore  our  policy  is  dual.  We  stress  news,  because  The  Lyre  is  the 
sole  correspondence  between  most  of  the  members  of  the  fraternity ;  the 
prestige  and  expansion  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  depend  directly  on  the  attitude 
and  cooperation  of  our  members.  If  we  are  able  to  keep  Alpha  Chis  in 
close  touch  with  each  other  through  all  kinds  of  news  of  each  other,  we  not 


The  Lvrf,  237 

only  give  them  nuirli  happiness,  but  we  keep  them  linked  up  with  general 
fraternity  interest  and  advance  steps,  through  The  Lyre.  Hence,  the  page  of 
Alpha  Chi  babies  I  It  is  the  news  department  that  alumna*  most  enjoy,  and 
most  regret  if  it   is  inferior. 

"In  the  matter  of  our  attitude  toward  our  fellow-Oreeks,  and  all  fellow- 
students.  The  Lyre  has  a  distinct  duty  ;  a  certain  attitude  is  characteristic  of 
a  gentlewoman,  in  a  fraternity  or  out  of  it.  Fairness,  sincerity,  generosity, 
and  loveliness  are  in  our  chapters  everywhere ;  they  should  characterize  every 
member  of  every  fraternity.  The  Lyre  heli)s  to  bring  Alpha  Clii  Omega 
nearer  that  standard. 

"There  is  the  claim  of  the  greatest  dynamic  in  the  whole  life  of  this  old 
world,  the  Christian  religion.  A  college  woman's  career  is  a  farce  unless 
she  has  fairly  considered  that  force.  Every  kind  of  college  publication  has  a 
.share  in  the  responsibility  of  presenting  that  claim  to  the  college  world, 
whicli  is  a  world  of  choices  and  high  resolves. 

"Increasing  numbers  of  college  women  enter  professional  life;  alumnic 
of  professional  experience  can  render  us  great  service  by  pointing  out  the 
way.  and  the  means.  So  we  need  vocational  articles  from  every  walk  in  life. 
Tlie  college  woman  in  ])rivate,  as  well  as  professional  life  has  widening 
opportunities  to  make  her  community  a  better  place  to  live  in  ;  we  need  to 
know  how  to  use  those  opportunities,  to  help  meet  civic  issues.  Social  service, 
while  now  one  of  the  i^rofessions,  devolves  largely  upon  the  volunteer  local 
worker,  except  in  the  more  highlv  specialized  cities.  Playgrounds,  campfires, 
settlement  and  club  work  of  all  kinds  need  the  college  woman — therefore 
The  Lyre  should  acquaint  us  with  those  of  our  sisters  who  are  leaders  in  civic 
and  social  service,  and  should  point  us  to  our  own  ojjportunities. 

"Life  all  over  the  world  is  becoming  more  cosmopolitan  ;  our  generation 
will  face  more  international  problems  than  any  generation  has  yet  met ;  to 
be  good  citizens  we  must  liave  the  international  attitude,  which  will  lead  us 
into  intelligent  accjuaintance  with  world  issues.  The  Lyre  directs  your 
thoughts  occasionally  to  world  conditions  and  world  organizations  ;  if  you 
have  alumn;e  engaged  in  some  professional  service  across  the  seas,  we  beg 
of  vou  to  keep  the  fraternity  informed  of  their  work." 

In  its  pages,  the  magazine  depicts  "personal  achievements,  and  opinions, 
and  experiences."  and  subjects  of  special  interest  to  fraternity  and  college 
women  generally.  "Whatever  is  published."  says  the  editorial,  "we  try  to 
keep  The  Lyre  dignified  and  in  good  taste." 

The  Lyre  is  received  by  members  in  forty-six  states  of  the  Union  and  in 
Alaska,  Nova  Scotia,  Canal  Zone.  Canada.  Hawaii,  Sumatra.  Australia, 
Philippines,  Siberia,  Straits  Settlements,  China,  and  France. 

The  present  size  of  an  issue  is  1.800  copies.  Two  hundred  and  ninety-seven 
of  these  go  to  life  subscribers.  In  time  the  entire  fraternity  membership  will 
possess  life  .subscriptions.  77;c  Lyre  has  long  been,  and  will  be.  we  trust,  for- 
ever, a  popular  and  well-beloved  magazine.     Scores  of  members  contribute  to 


Covers  of  National  Panhellenic  Congress  Magazines 


The  Lyre  239 

each  issue.  *  Through  the  support  and  devotion  of  the  many  hundreds  of  its 
readers  and  contributors,  "it  has  become,"  to  quote  from  the  President's 
address  to  the  1915  Convention,  "one  of  the  very  best  fraternity  journals,  a 
publication  of  which  we  are  very  proud  and  which  fully  represents  the  stan- 
dards of  our  fraternity." 


*  From   iC)io-igi6  but  two  chapters  failed   to  contribute  their  regular  chapter  letters. 
Nu  for  January,  1912,  and  for  January,  1915  ;  and  Phi  for  January,   1915. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

THE  HERAEUM,  THE  ARGOLID,  AND  THE  SONGBOOK 

The  Hcracum  and  The  Argolid'  are  the  private  bulletins  of  the  Frater- 
nity. The  nomenclature  of  both  is  in  harmony  with  the  sentiment  that  Hera 
is  the  patron-goddess  of  the  order.  The  meaning  of  the  word  "Heraeum" 
is  "the  secret  precincts  of  Hera"  ;  of  "Argolid,"  "from  the  headquarters 
of  Hera."  These  names  were  selected,  at  the  time  of  the  establishment  of 
each  bulletin,  by  Miss  Armstrong,  editor  of  The  Lyre  and  editor  of  both 
bulletins,  with  the  help  of  Professor  Joanna  Baker,  head  of  the  Greek  Depart- 
ment at  Simpson  College,  and  one  of  the  early  presidents  of  Alpha  Chapter. 
Miss  Baker  also  assisted  the  committee  in  the  choice  of  the  present  open 
motto,  "Together,  let  us  seek  the  heights." 

The  Heraeum,  now  in  its  sixth  volume,  was  authorized  in  1910,  and 
established,  as  an  annual  supplement  to  The  Lyre  in  1900.  It  goes,  therefore, 
without  cost,  to  subscribers  to  The  Lyre.  The  minutes  of  the  National 
Council  and  the  reports  of  committees,  the  minutes  of  the  National  Con- 
vention and  the  reports  of  committees  constitute  the  contents  of  this  maga- 
zine. The  expense  is  borne  by  the  National  Treasury,  except  the  cost  of 
mailing  which  is  carried  by  The  Lyre.  The  work  of  editing  The  Heraeum 
is  also  performed  by  the  editor  of  The  Lyre. 

The  Argolid  is  the  private  bulletin  to  which  is  consigned  all  private 
matter  not  included  in  The  Heraeum,  and  all  communications  from  national 
officers  to  chapters.  It  is  issued  bimonthly,  or  more  often  if  necessary,  by 
the  National  Secretary,  who,  since  the  1915  Convention,  serves  as  Editor 
of  The  Argolid.  This  bulletin  is  printed  on  the  fraternity  mimeograph,  and 
the  expense  is  borne  by  the  National  Treasury.  Previous  to  1915  half  of  the 
expense  and  the  work  of  editing  was  provided  by  The  Lyre.  The  value  of 
The  Argolid  is  very  great.  It  furnishes  a  frequent  private  bulletin  for  the 
discussion  of  fraternity  policies,  and  of  Panhellenic  problems,  and  it  like- 
wise provides  a  means  for  national  officers  to  communicate  with  chapters, 
alumnae  chapters,  and  alumnae  clubs  thus  eliminating  a  part  of  the  enormous 
correspondence  incumbent  on  a  national  officer. 

The  publication  in  available  form  of  Council  and  Convention  minutes, 
and  their  distribution  among  all  the  interested  members  of  the  order  makes 
for  unity  of  understanding  and  compactness  in  effort  which  are  invaluable. 
The  publication  of  the  reports  of  committees  is  most  valuable  as  a  matter 
of  reference,  and  provides  all  readers  of  The  Lyre,  which  some  day  will  mean 
all  members  of  the  Fraternity,  with  a  workable  knowledge  of  the  details 
of  the  business  of  the  whole  order.  A  file  of  tbe  volumes  of  The  Heraeum 
will  be  a  current  history  of  fraternity  policies  and  legislation  of  utmost 
interest  and  availability.  The  writing  of  the  present  volume  has  been  much 
facilitated  by  the  accessibility  of  a  mass  of  details  in  The  Heraeum. 

Almost  from  the  founding  of  the  Fraternity  there  had  existed  a  strong 
desire  for  significant  songs  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega.     The  first  formal  record 


Tni:  Ukrakim.  Arcoiid.  axd  Sonchook  241 

of  this  sentiment  is  found  in  the  minutes  of  the  meetinj^^  of  Alpha  Cliapter, 
February  5,  1886,  when  a  motion  was  i)asse(l  that  Florence  'IhcKiipson  write 
the  words  and  Kstelle  Leonard  the  music  of  a  fraternity  song.  The  name 
selected  for  the  composition  was  Alpha  Prima.  i'Vom  time  to  time  other 
songs  were  written  by  members  of  the  earlv  chapters  but  no  definite  plan 
for  the  collectiDU  of  tliese  was  made  until  the  l''irst  ('on\entioii.  ]8'M,  when 
the  publication  of  a  fraternity  so-ngbook  was  discussed  and  foundations  were 
laid,  each  chapter  being  required  to  furnish  at  least  four  original  songs  within 
the  next  year.  The  conxention  of  1893  ai)i)ointed  Oamma  to  publish  a 
songbook  and  accordingly  at  the  1894  Convention  that  chapter  reported 
that  the  first  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Songbook  had  recently  been  published  in 
Evanston.  Tliis  simple  little  pamphlet  contains  eleven  songs  to  be  sung 
to  familiar  airs,  no  music  being  printed  in  the  book. 

Althougli  this  collection  of  songs  served  its  i)urpose  as  a  foundation  upon 
which  to  build,  the  need  of  a  larger  and  better  songbook  containing  music 
as  well  as  words,  soon  became  evident.  Accordinglv  the  Convention  of  1896 
appointed  (iamma  to  ])ublish  another  edition  of  the  songbook.  but  as  the 
matter  of  collecting  the  songs  proved  to  be  a  long  task,  it  was  iiot  until 
1904  that  (iamma  Chapter  published  the  second  edition  of  the  songbook. 
Mabel  Dunn  acting  as  chairman  of  the  committee.  This  edition  shows  a 
very  marked  advance  over  the  first  one.  being  bound  in  an  attractive,  durable 
cover  and  containing  thirty-one  songs  of  excellent  (|ualitv.  twentv-six  of 
which  are  set  to  original  music. 

( )wing  to  the  popularity  of  this  book  the  edition  was  soon  exhausted; 
consequently  at  the  1906  Convention  a  committee,  with  Mvrta  McKean 
Dennis  (Camma)  as  chairman,  was  apjjointed  to  publish  a  new  edition  of 
the  songbook.  The  result  of  the  careful  work  of  this  committee  was  the 
third  edition  of  the  songbook  which  was  welcomed  heartily  by  the  1908  Con- 
vention when  Mrs.  Dennis  presented  it  for  use  during  that  convention.  This 
volume,  attractively  bound  in  light  and  dark  green,  contains  sixty  songs, 
thirty-one  of  which  are  set  to  original  music,  and  an  original  Initiation  March. 
The  songs,  as  in  the  previous  editions,  were  contributed  by  both  active  and 
alumn;e  memliers  of  the  various  chapters,  practicallv  all  of  the  songs  of  the 
first  two  editions  being  incorporated  in  this  edition.  Considerable  credit  is 
due  Mrs.  Dennis  for  her  painstaking  work,  from  a  musical  as  well  as  from 
a  l)usiness  standpoint.  The  re\ision  of  the  music  manuscript,  and  of  the 
adaptation  of  the  words  of  many  of  the  songs  to  appropriate  music,  required 
a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  harmony  such  as  she  possesses.  The  successful 
financing  of  the  edition  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  all  the  money  borrowed 
from  the  Xational  Treasurv  for  tlie  i)ub]ication  was  returned.  Mrs.  Dennis 
was  appointed  Custodian  of  the  Songbook  in  1908.  but  other  duties  made  it 
necessary  for  her  to  resign  the  position  the  following  year,  and  Mary  R.  Vose 
(Gamma)  was  then  appointed  her  successor. 


242  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Lucile  Morgan  Gibson  (Gamma)  was  appointed  Custodian  of  Songbook 
in  1912.  The  subject  of  a  new  edition  was  broached  in  the  spring  of  1914. 
The  National  Council  appointed  Mrs.  Gibson  chairman,  and  approved  the 
following  names  for  the  committee:  Annie  Woods  McLeary,  Zeta;  Myrta 
McKean  Dennis,  Gamma  (who  later  found  it  necessary  to  resign)  ;  Blanche 
F.  Brocklebank,  Zeta;  and  E.  Fay  Frisbie,  Pi.  All  chapters  were  requested 
to  send  in  the  names  of  the  fifteen  songs  in  the  third  edition  in  order  of 


Lucile   Morgan   Gibson,  Gamma 

Chairman    Fourth    Edition    of    Songbook 

Custodian    Songbook,    1912-1915 

their  choice.  From  these  lists  every  song  receiving  five  votes  was  retained. 
There  was  a  total  of  twenty-six  songs  chosen.  Some  of  these,  which  formerly 
had  no  accompaniment,  were  harmonized,  and  several  were  transposed  to 
bring  them  within  range  of  the  average  voice.  A  competition  was  arranged 
for,  open  to  all  members,  a  ten-dollar  prize  for  best  original  music  and  words, 
and  a  five-dollar  prize  for  the  best  verses.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to 
Gretchen  O'Donnell  Starr,  Rho,  for  the  song  /  Am  an  Alpha  Chi,  and  the 
other  prize  was  awarded  to  Lucile  Lippitt,  Delta,  for  the  Invocation. 


The  Heraku.m.  Argoi.id.  and  Songhdok  243 

The  competition  brought  a  number  of  original  songs,  many  of  which 
underwent  a  good  many  changes  in  harmony  but  in  spirit  remained  as  sub- 
mitted. Other  songs  were  received  through  the  direct  solicitation  of  the 
committee.  The  fourth  edition  offers  twenty-seven  new  songs  all  of  original 
music  and  covering  subjects  such  as  banciuet.  lovaltv,  invocation,  and  toast 
songs. 

The  fourth  edition  comprises  fifty-three  songs ;  forty-three  of  them  are 
of  original  music.  The  edition  was  ready  by  April,  1915,  and  proved  to 
be  very  popular.  I'hree  hundred  and  fifty  books  were  sold  by  the  time  of  the 
convention  in  June.  Blanche  F.  Brocklel)ank,  Zeta,  was  appointed  Custodian 
of  Songbook  at  that  time.  In  some  respects  the  Songbook  is  the  most  popular 
of  the  publications  of  the  Fraternitv. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

THE  HISTORY 

The  history  of  a  national  organization  is  of  value,  not  alone  as  a  matter 
of  record  for  reference,  but  also  as  a  volume  of  vital  interest  and  as  an 
incentive  to  strive  more  earnestly  toward  the  goal  of  high  ideals. 

Since  the  history  of  a  fraternity  is  largely  made  up  of  the  annals  of  the 
individual  chapters,  such  records  are  eminently  worthy  of  preservation,  and 
for  this  reason  historical  sketches  of  the  various  chapters  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
have  been  printed  in  The  Lyre  in  different  years  as  follows : 
Vol.  I,  No.  1,  June,  1894,  Alpha,  Beta,  and  Delta  Chapters. 
Vol.    Ill,    No.    3,    September.    1897,    Alpha,    Beta.    Gamma,    and    Epsilon 

Chapters. 
Vol.   IX,  No.  5,  Alpha.  Beta.  Ganu/ia,  Epsilon.  Zeta,   Thcta,  Iota,  Kappa, 
Alpha  Alpha,  and  Beta  Beta  Chapters. 

In  order  to  commemorate  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  the  founding 
of  the  Fraternity,  Volume  XIV,  No.  1,  November,  1910,  of  The  Lyre  was 
published  as  an  historical  number.  It  contains  personal  reminiscences  of 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  covering  five-year  periods,  written  by  alumnae  ;  interesting 
descriptions  of  the  early  days  of  Alpha,  Beta,  Gamma,  and  Delta ;  letters 
from  the  founders  ;  greetings  from  Dean  Howe,  as  well  as  reminiscences  of 
the  Grand  Presidents,  the  Editors,  and  the  Inspector,  and  a  sketch  of  the 
policy  of  expansion  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

Realizing  the  need  of  a  national  history  of  the  Fraternity  in  book  form, 
the  1908  Grand  Chapter  appointed  "Mabel  Siller,  Grand  Historian,  to  com- 
pile and  to  publish  a  history  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  with  assurance  of  financial 
support  and  compensation  and  with  the  privilege  of  choosing  her  assistants." 
This  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  offered  to  the  Fraternity  in  1911,  was 
the  result  of  six  years  of  work  on  the  part  of  the  author,  the  first  three  in  gath- 
ering data  for  the  historical  records,  and  the  last  three  in  compiling  and 
publishing  this  volume  with  the  able  assistance  of  the  Editorial  Board. 
It  represents  an  earnest  effort  to  give  as  comprehensive  an  outline  as  possible 
with  the  available  material  of  the  history  of  the  steady  development  of  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  during  its  twenty-five  years  of  existence. 

Of  this  volume  Alta  Allen  Loud  said,  in  the  Foreword  :  "To  appreciate 
properly  the  work  of  our  founders  and  to  leave  to  our  successors  accurate 
records  of  what  has  been  done,  is  a  work  of  great  importance.  As  a  co-worker 
of  the  author  for  many  years,  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  watching  the 
launching  of  this,  our  first  published  History.  The  obstacles  and  discourage- 
ments have  been  many,  but  tireless  energy  and  an  infinite  patience  and  per- 
severance have  overcome  them,  and  the  comprehensive  History  which  Miss 
Siller  has  given  us  is  a  monument  to  her  unbounded  loyalty  and  will  for  all 
time  endear  her  to  every  member  of  our  Fraternity. 

"The  early  records  portray  vividly  for  us  the  devotion  and  the  earnestness 
of  our  founders,  and  as  we  read  of  their  struggles  and  achievements,  we  are 
able  to  catch  the  spirit  of  the  early  days  and  are  brought  to  a  greater  apprecia- 


Thk  Hisiory 


245 


tion  of  the  gift  that  is  ours — to  a  (k-epcr  devotion  to  the  principles  set  forth 
in  our  sacred  Bond. 

"May  this  History  ser\-e  the  purpose — acciuaint  its  readers  with  the  found- 
ing of  the  Fraternity  and  its  cherished  traditions,  bind  together  more  closely 
our  seventeen  hundred  members,  make  its  ajjpeal  to  all.  young  and  old.  To 
the  alumiKe.  mav  it  bring  fond  memories  and  renewed  loyalty.  I'o  the  under- 
graduates, may  it  serve  as  an  incentive  to  carry  on  with  earnest  jjurpose  the 
work  that  is  theirs.  To  all  of  us  may  it  prove  an  ins|>iration  to  press  on 
toward  the  higher,  better  things  of  life,  and  'Together,  seek  the   Heights.'  " 

The  first  edition  of  the  >listorv  was  exhausted  in  four  years.  It  was  the 
second   fraternity  history  to  be  published  by  a  woman's   fraternity  and  had 


Mabel  Sii.lek  Nafis 
Autlioi"    First   Edition   of    The  History   of 
Alflui   Chi  OniC(/a 


been  of  great  value,  in  libraries  and  in  fraternity  archives,  for  that  reason. 
It  was  a  beautiful  volume  and  very  valuable  for  reference  as  well  as  an  object 
of  pride.  At  the  exhaustion  of  the  edition,  therefore,  a  committee  was  appointed 
in  1914  to  investigate  the  matter  of  publishing  a  second  edition.  A  report 
containing  preliminary  information  was  submitted  to  the  1915  Convention 
which  authorized  a  second  edition,  to  be  a  revision  of  the  first  edition  "from 
a  combined  personal  and  statistical  standpoint."  Florence  A.  Armstrong, 
who  had  edited  and  published  the  first  edition,  "was  asked  to  serve  as  author 
of  the  second  edition  with  full  authority  vested  in  her."  The  five  months  of 
hard  work  which  had  been  expended  on  the  first  edition  as  editor  had  paved 


246 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


Editorial  Board  of  the  History    (Revised  Edition) 

First  row,  left  to   right — Alta  Allen   Loud,   Lucile   Lippitt,    Florence   A.    Armstrong,    Mabel    Siller 
Nafis. 
Second   row — Gladys   Livingston    Graff,    Myra   II.   Jones,    Mary    Emma    Griffith,    Edna    Boicourt. 

the  way  to  a  ready  grasp  of  the  problems  mvolved  in  a  revision.  Six  years 
of  work  as  editor  of  the  fraternity  magazine,  during  all  of  which  period 
research  was  made  into  the  history  of  the  past,  had  furnished  a  broad 
acquaintance  with  the  personnel  of  the  organization  and  the  facts  of  its 
career.  Personal  acquaintance  with  twelve  of  the  twenty-three  institutions 
wherein  the  chapters  were  located  simplified  the  task.  The  author  was 
emboldened,  therefore,  because  of  these  facts  and  the  inspiring  enthusiasm  of 
the  convention  which  asked  it,  to  undertake  the  herculean  task  of  a  statisti- 
cal revision,  and  the  incorporation  of  the  personal  feature  which  meant 
practically  the  writing  of  a  new  volume.  The  changes  which  have  transpired 
since  the  first  edition  of  the  book  are  extraordinary.  It  is  hoped  that  those 
who  can  do  so  will  compare  the  statistics  of  1911  with  those  of  1916.  A  con- 
stant comparison  of  the  different  periods  in  our  history,  particularly  by 
decades,  and  the  comparison  of  our  history  with  that  of  our  contemporaries, 
has  increased  the  interest  and  admiration  of  the  author  for  our  national 
officers,  our  chapters,  and  our  records.  Perhaps  it  will  be  the  same  with  the 
readers. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mrs.  Macdowell  the  second  edition  of  the 
History  was  written  largely  in  the  Star  Studio,  at  the  Macdowell  Colony, 
Peterborough,  New  Hampshire.  Over  the  door  of  the  studio  is  an  artistic 
shingle  bearing  the  three  stars  from  our  Coat-of-arms,  and  the  Scroll  upon 
which  is  inscribed  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  1911.  The  second  edition,  written 
largely  in  these  fitting  and  happy  surroundings,  is  the  result  of  earnest 
effort  to  present  a  clear  picture  of  the  early  life,  the  problems,  progress,  ideals, 
and  characteristics  of  the  Fraternity,  and  to  be  a  worthy  successor  of  the 
first  edition. 


Some  ok  the  Aliiiok's  Assistants 

First  row.   left   to   riijlit — Gretchen   O'Donnell   Starr,  P;   Lola   R.   Darrow,   B;    Alta   M.    Roberts, 

B  B:    Adah  Cool,   B;  Josephine  Warie,  A. 
Second   row — Irene   Hastings,  N:    Louise   Root,   ^;    Ethel    Shaw,   M;    Floy   Humiston,   K. 
Third  row — Faith   Hauthorn,  -\;   Hea   Iniel,  P;   Maida  Crippen,  P;   Alice   lilodgctt,   9:  Ceraldine 

Newins.   \. 
Fourth   row — Dorothy   Hurdorf  Pinkham,  A  ^:   Laura   Weilipp,   1;    Frances   Marks.   I;    Gretchen 

Gooch.  I:   Katherine  Saunders  Potter,  ^  ^. 
Fifth    row— Pauline    Griffith,    A;    Gladys    Whelan,    9;    Helen    Callaghan,    K;    Kinily    Northrup,    6; 

Clara   Louise   Appleby,   A.  _  .         _ 

Sixth    row— Esther   Merriman,   B;     Regna   King,   M;     Florence    Currier,   M:     Cania   Fritz,   B. 
Seventh    row — Mary    Savle.    K:     Helen    Schwab,   3;     Margaret    Robison,    A;     Lucile    Lippitt,    A. 

Dorothy   Bonn,   N. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

THE  DAILY  CONVENTION  TRANSCRIPT,  THE  DIRECTORY, 
AND  THE  CALENDAR 

For  the  first  time  the  convention,  in  1915,  supported  a  daily  convention 
newspaper.  On  the  night  of  the  arrival  of  the  special  train,  the  delegates 
received  at  the  time  of  their  registration  a  copy  of  the  daily  Convention 
Transcript.  Five  editions  were  issued  during  the  Convention,  more  than 
half  of  which  were  mailed  to  members  not  present.  The  issue  contained 
accounts  of  each  day's  sessions,  stories  of  the  social  functions  of  each  day, 
humorous  incidents  connected  with  the  assembly,  articles  of  general  frater- 
nity interest,  news  items  of  all  kinds,  and  announcements.     The  Convention 


Staff  of  The  Convention  Transcript,  1915 

Left  to   right — Mrs.   Rhodes,   Miss  Armstrong,   Misses   Stevenson, 

Green,    Long. 
Misses   Kirkwood,   Marks,   Harris. 

Transcript  was  considered  one  of  the  large  accomplishments  of  the  Biennial 
and  is,  probably,  the  beginning  of  a  regular  publication  for  the  purpose 
of  disseminating  quickly  the  accounts  of  the  Convention  in  the  real  spirit  of 
the  occasion.  It  makes  possible,  also,  a  more  compact  body  of  convention 
members  since  all  present  are  readers  of  the  daily. 

The  daily  Convention  Transcript  was  issued  by  a  staff  consisting  of 
Florence  A.  Armstrong,  Editor-in-chief ;  Clara  Stephenson,  Epsilon,  Manag- 
ing Editor;  Marion  Green,  Epsilon;  June  Hamilton  Rhodes,  Mu;  Nell  E. 
Harris,  Mu;  Frances  Kirkwood,  Iota;  Frances  Marks,  Iota;  Laura  Weilepp, 
Iota;  and  Maude  Staiger  Steiner,  Theta.  The  paper  was  of  four  pages — in 
size  and  style  like  a  university  daily  newspaper. 

The  early  records  of  the  Fraternity  show  that  the  names  and  addresses 
of  all  the  members  were  kept  separately  by  the  various  chapters,  arranged 


The  Daily  Coxvextiox  Transcript,  Directory,  and  Calendar    249 

according  to  the  years  of  initiation.    As  this  method  did  not  prove  satisfactory 

the  1900  Convention  provided  for  a  register  of  all  members  of  Alpha  Chi 

Omega  to  be  kept  by  Alpha  Chapter.     P>om  these  lists  the  editor  of  The 

Lyre  compiled  and  printed  in  the  journal  a  complete  alphabetical  directory 

by  chapters  of  the  names  and  addresses  of  all  the  members  of  Alpha  Chi 

Omega,  as  follows: 

Vol.  II,  No.  2,  June,  1897,  Alpha — Zeta  Chapters,  inclusive. 

Vol.   II,  No.  2,  June,   1897.  Alpha — Zeta  Chapters,  inclusive. 

Vol.  Ill,  No.  1.  March,  1898.  Alpha — Zeta  Chapters,  inclusive. 

Vol.  IV,  No.   1,  March,  1899,  Alpha — Zeta  Chapters,  inclusive. 

Vol.  V,  No.  4,  January,   1902,  Alpha — Iota  Chapters,  inclusive. 

Vol.  IX,  No.  5.  October,  1906,  Alpha — Kappa  Chapters,  inclusive. 

Vol.  XI.  No.  1.  October.  1907,  Alpha — Mu  Chapters,  inclusive. 

Since  this  method  of  printing  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  members 
proved  inadequate,  the  Cirand  Council  Meeting  of  1907  appointed  the  Grand 
Historian  to  compile  and  to  publish  a  separate  fraternity  directory.  Accord- 
ingly in  July,  1908,  the  First  Directory  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  published 
in  pamphlet  form  by  Mabel  Harriet  Siller.  This  book  contains  the  names 
and  addresses  of  the  Grand  Council  members  then  in  office,  a  list  of  the 
active  chapters  (Alpha  to  Xi,  inclusive)  with  addresses  of  the  chapter  houses 
or  halls  and  the  dates  of  installation  of  the  chapters,  and  a  list  of  the  alumnae 
chapters  (Alpha  Alpha  to  Gamma  Gamma,  inclusive)  with  the  dates  of 
establishment,  besides  an  alphabetical  catalogue  by  chapters  of  names  and 
addresses  of  all  Alpha  Chis.  It  also  included  a  list  of  the  honorar}^  members 
with  their  addresses.  Two  catalogues  of  members  were  printed  in  the  first 
History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  one  by  chapters,  including  the  chapters 
from  Alpha  to  Sigma,  inclusive,  and  containing  the  years  of  initiation,  and 
addresses;  the  other  an  alphabetical  list  giving  chapter  only. 

Annual  directories  were  pul)lished  thereafter  by  The  Lyre  in  1912,  1913, 
and  1914;  in  pamphlet  form  in  two  cases,  and  in  April,  1913,  in  the  regular 
issue  of  the  magazine.  Since  there  was  no  provision  for  purchase  of  the 
directories,  The  Lyre  lost  heavily,  although  the  advantage  of  an  annual,  care- 
fully compiled  directory  was  of  incalculable  value  to  the  Fraternity.  In 
1916  the  Alumnae  Association  took  over  the  publication  of  a  directory  in  a 
pocket  edition  as  recommended  by  the  editor  of  The  Lyre;  and  provided  to  all 
new  initiates,  by  constitutional  requirement,  a  copy  of  the  same.  The  1916 
directory  contained  both  a  catalogue  by  chapters,  and  by  geographical 
location.  Its  convenient  size  renders  it  of  greater  practical  value  than  pre- 
ceding issues. 

The  first  ofticial  Calendar  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  presented  shortly 
after  the  1910  Convention,  the  committee  in  charge  being  Florence  Reed 
Haseltine  and  Mabel  Harriet  Siller.  The  attractive  cover  design  in  tan  and 
brown  bore  the  coat-of-arms  and  the  Greek  letters  A  X  12,  while  the  pages 
contained  the  dates  of  all  the  chapter  installations,  the  significant  national 
dates  of  the  Fraternity,  and  blank  spaces  for  chapter  dates.  This  calendar, 
aside   from  being  an   artistic   addition   to   the   chapter   halls,    furnished   an 


250  The  Hisiorv  ok  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

excellent  reminder  of  the  dates  v.hen  the  annual  tax.  The  Lyre  material,  and 
other  matters  of  fraternity  support,  were  due. 

The  second  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Calendar  was  a  daily  memorandum  pad  of 
small  size,  for  desk  use,  issued  by  Kappa  Chapter.  The  cover  was  olive  green 
tied  with  scarlet  silk  cord.  The  pages  contained  the  fraternity  dates  of  impor- 
tance. This  was  issued  for  1913-14.  The  next  calendar  was  a  four-page 
calendar,  published  by  Delta.  It  was  in  olive  green,  printed  in  gold.  Each 
page  contained  three  calendar  months,  and  a  poem  by  an  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
as  follows : 

A  Fraternity  Symphony,  Celia  E.  McClure,  A. 

Enter  Spring,  Margaret  Barber  Bo  wen,  A. 

The  Sun  and  the  Rain,  Ellen  Beach  Yaw,  E. 

The  Holly  Tree,  Florence  Fall  Miller,  B. 

The  1915-16  Calendar  was  published  by  Zeta  Zeta  Alumnse  Chapter  for 
the  benefit  of  a  Convention  Fund.  It  was  a  brass  desk  calendar  and  paper- 
clip of  great  convenience.  The  Greek  letters  A  X  n  were  embossed  on  it. 
The  calendar  service  was  a  perpetual  one.  The  publication  of  the  next 
year's  calendar  was  granted  to  Zeta  Zeta  also.  The  design  was  made  and 
painted  by  Olive  Cutter,  Zeta.  It  is  a  remarkably  beautiful  peacock  device 
of  special  appropriateness  because  the  peacock  was  the  bird  of  Hera.  Between 
two  magnificent  birds  are  the  Greek  letters  A  X  Q,.  These  calendars  have 
all  been  in  good  taste,  and  artistic  in  effect. 


CHAPTER  XIX 


OFFICIAL  FORMS  AND  SUPPLIES 

Until  1914,  the  business  of  ordering  the  supplies  used  by  the  chapters 
and  by  the  council  members  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  different  national  officers. 
As  the  Fraternity  expanded,  it  was  thought  wise  to  have  a  committee  attend 
to  the  purchasing  and  distributing  of 
all  the  supplies. 

All  orders  are  now  written  in 
duplicate,  and  signed  by  the  Keeper 
of  Supplies,  on  official  order  blanks. 
By  having  one  person  attend  to  al! 
the  ordering  it  is  much  easier  to  keep 
a  check  on  all  bills.  No  bills  are- 
paid  without  the  approval  of  the 
Keeper  of  Supplies  and  the  National 
President. 

While  the  work  is  not  yet  sys- 
tematized to  the  committee's  liking, 
much  has  been  done  to  simplify  thf 
work. 

The  stationerv  used  by  the 
national  officers  may  be  ordered  in  the 
following  sizes : 

Council  letter  heads  embossed — 
8>^X11,    Sy2Xiy4,   and   8>^X5^. 

Envelopes  printed  address  t^ 
order — Numbers  6^  and  10. 

Envelopes   embossed — N  u  m  b  e  r 

Correspondence  cards  (printc\i 
address  only) . 

Province    Presidents   embossed   letterheads    Sy^yCW. 

The  die  (Gothic  lettering)   and  stationery  for  the  chapters  are  the  same 
style  as  that  used  by  the  National  Council. 
Other  Supplies  : 

Affiliation  Certificates. 

Alumnae  Chapter  By-laws  and  Club   By-laws. 

Filing  Cards  for  Card  Index. 

Printed  Instructions  for  Card  Index  Filing. 

Initiates'  Records. 

Annual  Active  Chapter  MLMubcrship  Report  to 
and  Records. 

Petition  Forms  for  Cha])ter   (active). 

Petition  Forms  for  Chapter  (alumna'). 


Kaiiikv.n    Mok(;an,  A'l 

Exchange   Eflitor,   1912-1915 

Keeper  of  Supplies 


Keeper  of  the  Archives 


252  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Petition  Forms  for  Alumnae  Clubs. 

Information  for  Petitioners. 

Information  Required  of  Petitioners. 

Record  of  Petitioner. 

Alpha  Chi  Omega  Finances. 

Charter. 

Membership    Certificates. 

Official  Order  Blanks  for  Badges. 

Active  Chapter  Reports  to  National  Convention. 

Alumnae  Chapter  and  Club  Reports  to  National  Convention. 

Convention  Vouchers. 

Convention  Credentials. 

Report  of  National  Vice-president  to  National  Convention. 

Report  of  National  Secretary. 

Report  of  National  Treasurer. 

Report  of  National  Editor. 

Report  of  Lyre  Business  Manager. 

Report  of  Keeper  of  the   Records. 

Report  of  Panhellenic  Delegate. 

Chapter  Treasurer's  Monthly  Report  and  Instructions  to  same. 

Alumnae  Note  No.  I. 

Alumnas  Note  No.  II. 

Alumnae  Adviser's  Annual  Report. 

Inspector's  Annual  Visiting  Report. 

Order  Blanks  for  Supplies. 

Chapter  membership  blanks  for  use  of  National  Officers. 

The  following  are  typed  by  the  National  Secretarv  as  needed : 

Form  of  Dismissal. 

Notification  of  Dismissal  to  be  sent  to  active  and  alumnae  chapters. 

Notice  of  Release  of  Pledge. 

While  from  a  business  standpoint,  the  various  reports  are  most  impor- 
tant to  the  chapter,  still  no  two  documents  are  dearer  to  the  heart  of  every 
loyal  Alpha  Chi  Omega  than  the  charter  and  the  membership  certificates. 

The  first  charter  was  drawn  up  by  Mary  Jones  and  Estelle  Leonard,  and 
was  adopted  after  slight  revision  in  May,  1887.  The  original  charter  was 
lithographed  on  imitation  parchment.  The  names  of  the  charter  members 
and  of  the  general  officers  were  signed  by  those  members,  and  on  the  lower 
left-hand  corner  was  affixed  the  gold  seal  with  small  pieces  of  scarlet  and 
olive  ribbon. 

This  charter  was  not  suitable  for  use  by  the  alumnae  chapters,  so  with 
the  establishing  of  the  first  alumnas  chapter  in  1906,  it  became  necessary  to 
prepare  a  new  form.  Laura  A.  Howe,  Edith  Manchester,  and  Mabel 
Harriet  Siller  prepared  this  form,  and  while  similar  to  the  one  used  by  the 
active  chapters,  it  was  more  simple  in  design. 


Official  Forms  and  Supplies  253 

As  the  fraternity  grew,  with  the  constant  addition  of  chapters,  both 
active  and  alumnae,  it  seemed  wise  to  have  a  uniform  charter  for  both  chap- 
ters J. aura  Howe  was  appointed  a  committee  to  select  the  design  for  such  a 
charter.  In  1910  the  Grand  Chapter  adopted  the  charter  now  in  use.  The 
extreme  simplicity  of  the  design  adds  much  to  the  dignity  and  beauty  of 
the  document.  It  is  engraved  on  parchment,  and  bears  the  coat-of-arms  at 
the  top.  The  names  of  the  charter  members  are  embossed  in  uniform  letter- 
ing and  on  the  lower  left-hand  corner  the  gold  seal  and  the  colors  of  the 
Fraternity  are  affixed. 

Nothing  can  make  an  Alpha  Chi  Omega  have  the  feeling  of  "belonging" 
quite  so  quickly  as  the  Membership  Certificate.  Our  first  membership  certi- 
ficates used  at  the  installation  of  Beta  Chapter,  were  termed  "cards  of 
admission  to  the  Fraternity."  This  was  in  1887,  and  no  effort  was  made  to 
have  a  more  dignified  certificate  until  1902.  Edith  Manchester  drew  up  the 
form  which  was  used  until  1908.  This  card  was  an  attractive  printed  card. 
A  lyre,  the  facsimile  of  the  badge,  embossed  in  white,  adorned  the  top.  The 
Grand  President,  the  Chapter  President,  and  the  Grand  Secretary  signed 
these  certificates. 

In  1908  the  Cirand  Chapter  appointed  Paura  Howe  to  select  a  new 
form  for  the  membership  certificates.  It  was  not  easy  to  select  a  design 
which  should  meet  all  the  requirements.  However,  the  present  form  was 
adopted  by  the  Grand  Chapter  in  1910.  It  is  a  beautifully  engraved  card, 
bearing  the  coat-of-arms  in  the  upper  left-hand  corner.  The  name  of  the 
initiate,  of  the  chapter,  and  the  date  of  initiation  is  inserted  in  uniform  letter- 
ing. A  space  in  the  lower  right-hand  corner  is  reserved  for  the  signatures 
of  the  National  President  and  Secretary.  These  certificates  are  ordered  for 
the  initiates  on  the  fifteenth  of  April  and  November. 

It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  cost  of  the  supplies  per  year,  since  the 
prices  vary  from  year  to  year.  Whenever  it  is  at  all  possible  the  supplies 
are  ordered  in  large  quantities.  Various  minor  changes  have  been  made  in 
the  Treasurer's  Report  Blanks,  the  Inspection  Report  Blanks,  and  in  the 
Order  Blanks  for  badges. 

As  the  new  chapters  are  installed,  and  the  old  supplies  are  exhausted, 
it  is  the  aim  of  the  committee  to  have  uniform  books  for  all  chapter  records. 

Each  Alumna  Adviser  and  Province  President  is  furnished  with  com- 
pletely equipped  handbooks,  containing  everything  of  interest  and  value  to 
her  in  connection  with  the  work  of  her  office. 


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t///j/ /•/  ■  //////•  ^y '-//'//" 

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Pkksent  Charter 


Old    Membership   Certificate 


f     Alplui  (Lhi  il\\m  ^h'i\\mnh} 

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/////ff  ■  /If//////  //////•  ///////////  /y  ////  ■  ///////////// 


Present  Membership  Certificate 


CHAPTER  XX 

ENDOWMENT  AND  SCHOLARSHIP  FUNDS 

The  Scholarship  Fund  which  was  instituted  at  the  last  Convention  had 
a  two-fold  purpose,  and  the  vice-president  states  that  to  her  personal  knowl- 
edge at  least  eight  girls  in  the  Fraternity  last  year  would  have  been  eligible 
and  worthy  of  a  loan  from  such  a  fund  had  one  existed.  Its  purpose  is  to 
help  members  of  the  Fraternity  to  finish  their  college  courses.  A  second 
class  of  loan  would  have  made  fraternity  life  possible  to  other  girls  who  had 
adequate  funds  for  a  university  course,  but  not  enough  to  pay  fraternity 
dues  and  initiation  fees.  Accordingly  a  plan  was  devised  whereby  in  the 
future  both  problems  will  be  met.  The  convention  pledges  of  $75,  the 
individual  and  official  jeweler  rebates,  and  the  proceeds  of  future  alumnae 
notes,  as  well  as  all  profits  from  the  sale  of  the  directories  will  constitute 
the  nucleus  of  the  Scholarship  Fund.  Individual  members  pledged  gener- 
ously, so  that  in  a  very  short  time  the  sum  of  $564  had  been  raised.  To  date 
the  amount  expended  totals  $550  which  has  already  been  loaned  to  five 
selected  girls. 

During  the  summer  of  1908,  through  the  efforts  of  Fay  Barnaby  Kent, 
a  former  pupil  of  Edward  Macdowell.  active  steps  were  taken  to  raise  the 
money  to  build  a  studio  at  the  Macdowell  Colony.  One  of  Mr.  ^[acdowel^s 
most  cherished  ambitions  was  to  found  an  artists'  colony,  similar  to  the 
American  academy  at  Rome  on  the  farm  at  Peterborough,  New  Hampshire, 
which  had  furnished  the  inspiration  for  all  of  his  later  masterpieces.  Into 
the  development  of  this  project  he  put  much  loving  thought  and  the  greater 
part  of  his  savings.  At  his  death  Mrs.  Macdowell  deeded  the  property  to  the 
Macdowell  Memorial  Association  which  is  endeavoring  to  realize  the  musi- 
cian's ideals. 

Only  those  possessing  marked  artistic  talent  or  creative  genius  in  any 
one  of  the  fine  arts  are  awarded  scholarsliips  by  the  committee.  The  artists 
live  in  the  "Lower  House,"  which  was  formerly  the  nucleus  of  the  colony, 
and  in  three  other  houses.  Isolated  individual  studios  are  provided  free  by 
special  donation.  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  through  the  active  cooperation  of  active 
and  alumna?  members,  has  erected  one  of  these  attractive  little  studios  which 
bears  the  name  of  the  Fraternity. 

Aj)plication  for  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Scholarship  at  Peterborough  must 
be  approved  by  the  Fraternity  Macdowell  Studio  Committee  before  being 
forwarded  to  Mrs.  Macdowell  who  is  a  permanent  member  of  the  Scholar- 
ship Con)mittee.  Failing  a  properly  qualified  Alpha  Chi  applicant,  the 
studio  may  be  awarded  to  any  deserving  artist. 

The  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Studio  is  most  attractive,  eighteen  by  twenty 
feet  with  a  square  colonial  porch,  tiled.  The  roof  is  of  slate.  There  is  a 
cordial  fireplace,  and  a  closet  for  cooking  and  for  cooking  utensils.  A 
basket  of  luncheon  is  served  at  noon  from  Colony  Hall  where  all  the  artists 
in  the  colonv  repair  for  dinner  in  the  evening.     The  studio  is  in  the  midst 


258  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

of  a  pine  grove  of  splendid  trees.  Here  one  may  retire  for  a  complete 
day's  work  without  fear  of  interruption. 

Last  but  by  no  means  the  least  interesting  is  the  wonderful  growth  of  the 
Reserve  Fund.  Inaugurated  in  1912,  with  a  committee  of  three,  of  whom 
Mrs.  Alta  Allen  Loud  was  the  chairman,  its  purpose  is  to  make  possible  the 
awarding  of  loans  to  chapters  for  house  building  and  other  legitimate  pur- 
poses. The  first  thousand  dollars  was  speedily  raised,  and  the  five  thousand 
dollar  goal  to  be  reached  by  1915  actually  exceeded  that  sum  by  $261.08! 
The  system  pursued  consisting  of  pledges  from  active  chapters  of  $100, 
alumnae  chapters,  $25,  and  alumnae  clubs,  $10,  was  eked  out  bv  generous 
subscriptions  from  individual  members. 

The  report  of  the  Resers-e  Fund  Committee  in  1916  says: 

"Again  the  Reserve  Fund  Committee  desires  to  express  its  appreciation  of 
the  interest  taken  in  and  the  support  given  to  the  fund.  We  are  glad  to 
announce  that  twelve  active  chapters  have  given  the  one  hundred  dollars 
asked.  Rho  Chapter  has  pledged  one  hundred  dollars  and  has  already  given 
forty  dollars  of  this  amount  in  monthly  payments,  while  four  other  chapters 
have  contributed  smaller  sums.  Those  chapters  which  have  not  pledged 
have  been  struggling  with  financial  burdens  and  it  has  not  seemed  wise  to 
press  the  matter.  Every  alumnae  chapter  has  pledged  the  twenty-five  dollars 
asked,  several  have  given  more,  and  all  but  one  have  fully  redeemed  their 
pledges.  This  one  will  be  paid  in  full  before  the  1917  Convention.  Six 
alumnae  clubs  have  paid  ten  dollars  or  more  into  the  Reserve  Fund  Treasury, 
two  have  given  smaller  amounts,  and  two  more  have  pledged  ten  dollars  each. 
We  earnestly  hope  that  the  coming  year  will  bring  pledges  from  those  clubs 
which  have  not  yet  contributed,  and  that  eventually  every  active  and  alumnae 
chapter  and  alumnae  club  may  have  a  share  in  the  building  up  of  this  fund. 

"The  hopes  of  the  Committee  for  a  five  thousand  dollar  fund  for  the 
1915  Convention  were  more  than  realized.  We  now  ask  for  the  support  of 
Council,  chapters,  and  all  members  of  the  Fraternity  in  our  work  toward  the 
realization  of  our  desire  for  an  eight  thousand  dollar  fund  which  is  the  goal 
set  for  the  1917  Convention." 

Zeta  Chapter,  New  England  Conservatory  of  Music,  Boston,  gives  a 
chapter  scholarship  of  eighty  dollars  annually  to  one  of  its  members.  The 
recipient  is  chosen,  by  election,  on  the  basis  of  need  and  talent.  The  award 
of  the  scholarship  is  a  matter  of  chapter  action  solely.  Little  is  said  on  the 
subject  by  any  member  of  the  chapter  either  before  or  after  its  award.  The 
funds  for  the  scholarship  are  earned  by  the  chapter  at  a  Panhellenic  function 
during  the  year  at  which  all  the  fraternities  raise  money  in  some  way  accept- 
able to  the  committee  in  charge.  Very  artistic  and  successful  devices  are 
designed  for  the  event. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

CHAPTER-HOUSE  OWNERSHIP 

At  the  opening  of  the  college  year  1916-17,  all  rhajjters  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  reside  in  chapter  houses  except  those  four  in  institutions  where  frater- 
nity houses  are  debarred.  Of  these  nineteen  chapters,  three  have  just  entered 
into  house-ownership,  and  are,  for  the  first  tiine,  in  possession  of  their  own 
homes.  A  fourth  has  purchased  a  site,  and  will  build  soon.  A  fifth  will  be 
in  her  own  new  home  in  one  year  from  date.  Eight  other  chapters  are  pre- 
paring funds  with  wliich  to  build  as  soon  as  possible.  vStill  another  owns  a 
comfortable  brick  lodge  which  is  used  for  fraternity  purposes,  but  which 
cannot  be  occupied  by  the  chapter  members  because  of  the  faculty  ruling.  In 
brief  compass,  then,  we  can  read  that  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  as  a  wliole,  believes 
that  the  time  for  chapter-house  ownership  has  come  to  this  Fraternity.  In 
figures,  the  present  possessions  of  the  Fraternity  in  terms  of  chapter  houses  are 
as  follows : 

Theta,  University  of  Michigan,  house  built  li\-  chapter,  corner  lot.  .  .  .$24,000 
Kappa,  University  of  Wisconsin,  house  purchased,  red  brick,  in  new- 
fraternity    district,    Langdon    Street 25,000 

Lambda,  Syracuse  University,  house  purchased,  stucco  and  tile 25,000 

Omicron.  Baker  University,  corner  lot  opposite  university 2.500 

Beta,  Albion  College,  brick  lodge 4.000 

Total  value $80,500 

In  her  report  to  the  national  Council  in  1916.  the  Chairman  of  Chapter 
House  Committee  said : 

"The  year  just  passed  has  registered  an  exceeding])-  busy  one  for  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  along  house-ownership  lines,  and  the  acquisition  of  pledges 
toward  the  pa}TTient  of  same.  ••'  *  1916  sees  us  with  an  advance  of  about 
$19,000  over  our  conii)lete  chapter  financial  status  since  1912.  *  *  The 
House  Committee  is  convinced  that  the  actjuisition  of  building  funds  is  but 
a  statement  of  a  chapter's  true  general  strength,  especially  in  our  older 
chapters,  since  it  shows  a  spirit  of  cooperation  for  a  definite  desirable  goal, 
and  tile  acquisition  of  suitable  housing  cjuarters  on  a  basis  of  competition  with 
other  well  organized  fraternities.     * 

"The  ever-increasing  high  rentals  for  undesirable  locations  might  well  be 
put  to  better  advantage,  since  very  few  houses  are  suitable  for  fraternity  pur- 
poses, unless  built  especially  for  them.     *     * 

"The  committee  is  happy  to  report  that  on  April  24  Theta  broke  ground 
for  her  house  the  total  cost  of  which  is  to  be  $17,750.     Kappa  is  completing 

*  *     the  acquisition  of  the  Tennev  home  in  Madison  at  a  cost  of  $25,000. 

*  =i=  We  are  also  happy  to  announce  that  Iota  undoubtedly  will  begin 
building  operations  next  May.  tlie  total  cost  of  house  to  be  $15,000;  and  that 
we  are  in  hopes  that  a  suitable  location  may  be  bought  for  Lambda  during  this 
Council  Meeting,     (^micron  has  purchased  a  building  site  for  about  $2,500. 


260  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

and  hopes  by  1919  to  begin  building  operations  at  an  estimated  cost  of  $12,000. 
Since  fraternities  in  Kansas  pay  no  state  taxes,  they  have  a  distinct  advantage 
over  most  of  our  chapters.     *     * 

"We  urge  all  chapters  where  house-ownership  is  permitted  to  keep  their 
financial  records  absolutely  clear  from  year  to  year,  to  add  a  definite  sum 
monthly  or  yearly  to  their  building  funds,  and  to  secure  definite  pledges  from 
every  initiate  for  future  payment  over  a  stated  number  of  years.     *     *" 

With  the  help  of  the  Reserve  Fund,  and  under  the  direction  of  com- 
petent national  and  local  building  committees,  the  chapters  have  worked  in 
a  businesslike  way  for  the  attainment  of  comfortable  and  suitable  homes  of 
their  own.  Their  alumnae  have  been  willing  to  cooperate  with  such  sane 
efforts,  both  by  financial  aid  and  by  personal  oversight  in  business  matters. 
Katherine  Anderson  Mills  has  superintended  personally  every  detail  of 
Theta's  house-building  operations.     She  writes  of  the  entire  project  thus: 

"To  own  our  chapter  house  has  been  an  air  castle  of  Theta's  for  a  great 
many  years,  even  back  in  the  days  when  I  was  active.  To  have  our  dreams 
come  true  at  last  scarcely  seems  possible. 

"It  has  been  a  comparatively  short  time  that  Theta  has  gone  after  her 
dream  in  an  organized,  systematic  way.  Some  three  or  four  years  ago  the 
active  chapter  appointed  an  Alumnae  House  Committee  to  work  up  the  project 
in  cooperation  with  the  chapter.  Quite  a  little  was  accomplished  by  this  com- 
mittee in  the  actual  collection  of  money,  and  in  getting  the  project  before  the 
alumnae.  A  year  ago  last  June  the  girls  had  the  offer  of  a  lot  at  such  an 
attractive  price,  and  in  such  a  charming  location  on  the  corner  of  Olivia  and 
Cambridge  Road,  that  the  Alumnae  House  Committee  could  not  resist  the 
temptation  to  borrow  money  of  the  National  Council  to  add  to  their  funds 
and  invest. 

"With  the  buying  of  property  the  organization  of  the  Alumnae  House 
Committee  dissolved  into  a  Board  of  Directors  for  Theta  Corporation,  since 
the  girls  found  it  necessary  to  take  out  incorporation  papers,  at  once,  to  hold 
property  legally  and  incur  indebtedness.  Their  Articles  of  Incorporation 
demanded  that  there  be  seven  directors  selected  to  carry  on  all  business  for  the 
corporation.  By-laws  had  to  be  constructed  determining  method  of  election 
of  this  same  Board  of  Directors ;  and  for  the  purpose  of  designating  how 
the  affairs  of  the  corporation  should  be  conducted.  The  members  taking  out 
the  corporation  papers,  and  forming  these  first  by-laws,  decided  that  the 
Board  of  Directors  should  consist  of  four  active  members,  and  three  alumnae 
members,  selected  for  one,  two,  three,  and  four  years ;  that  the  treasurer  of 
the  sorority  shall  always  be  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors ;  that  the 
treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Directors  shall  always  be  an  alumna. 

"Plans  for  building  the  house  were  presented  to  this  Board  of  Directors 
one  year  ago.  They  finally  decided  in  February,  1916,  to  accept  plans  drawn 
up  by  Herman  Pipp,  of  Ann  Arbor,  as  the  most  satisfactory  for  a  convenient 
fraternity  home,  and  they  immediately  set  about  financing  the  building  of  a 
house  estimated  at  $15,000  complete. 

"In  February,  the  directors  got  out  a  circular  letter  showing  the  plans  for 
the  new  home,  and  asking  the  alumnae  to  contribute,  or  buy  notes  of  any 


Theta's    New    Chapter    Home,    University   of    Michigan 


262  The  Hisiorv  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraterxitv 

amount  from  $50  up.  ( >ur  notes  were  second  mortgage  bonds  on  the  house 
bearing  670  interest,  payable  semiannually.  A  local  bank  contracted  to  loan 
$10,000  on  first  mortgage,  and  we  hojjed  to  raise  $5,000  among  the  alumn.ie 
by  selling  our  notes. 

"By  April  the  alumn;t  and  active  girls  had  pledged  the  $5,000  in  bonds, 
and  we  felt  ready  to  go  ahead.  We  are  especially  indebted  to  Miss  Eusebia 
Davidson  of  Beta  Chapter,  Miss  Marguerite  Coley,  and  Marie  Phelps  for 
large  shares  of  second  mortgage  notes,  amounting  from  $500  to  $1,000  each. 
The  rest  of  the  second  mortgage  notes  were  sold  in  $50  and  $100  notes,  mostly 
to  active  girls.  The  alumns  subscribing  for  notes  were :  Jessie  Paterson, 
$100;  Fleeta  Lamb  Cooper,  $100;  Persis  Goeschel,  $50;  Mildred  Staebler, 
$50;  Maude  Bissel,  $100;  Mrs.  C.  O.  Davis,  $100;  Maude  Kleyn,  $100; 
Emma  Freeman,  $100;  Katherine  Anderson  Mills,  $100;  Vera  Burkhart 
Hill,  $100;  Edith  Leonard  Miller,  $50;  Marion  McPherson,  $50;  Helen 
McPherson,  $50;   Florence  Staiger,  $100;   Elma  McDevitt,  $50. 

"Then  there  were  donations  of  $50  or  less  by  alumnae:  Mrs.  Hoff,  Mrs. 
Kyer,  Edith  Miller,  Mary  Hyde  Huntington,  Isla  Jones  Hall.  Many  of  our 
alumnae  have  promised  to  respond  generously  later  on  in  donations  of  money 
and  furniture,  so  we  feel  that  Theta  will  be  on  a  sound  basis,  financially. 

"The  bank  loaning  money  to  us  has  been  very  kind  in  the  privileges  offered 
us.  They  promise  that  we  may  pay  back  our  alumnae  or  second  mortgage  notes 
first.  They  gave  us  eight  years  or  more  in  which  to  do  this.  Mr.  Seyler,  head 
of  the  Mortgage  and  Bonds  Department  of  the  German  and  State  Savings 
Bank,  was  appointed  as  trustee  for  all  second  mortgages,  to  see  that  the 
interest  is  paid  promptly,  and  the  rights  of  the  second  mortgages  are  not 
overlooked. 

"Mr.  Freeman,  father  of  one  of  the  local  alumnae,  has  done  all  of  our 
legal  business,  drawn  up  the  first  and  second  mortgage  notes,  negotiated  the 
loan  from  the  bank,  procured  the  Superintendent  of  Construction,  and  has 
had  general  charge  of  the  supervision  of  the  building,  buying  materials,  and 
so  forth.  We  have  great  confidence  in  his  al)ility,  for  he  constructed  five 
houses  of  his  own,  aggregating  in  amounts  from  $70,000  to  $80,000.  We 
feel  that  we  have  derived  great  benefit  from  his  experience. 

"It  has  been  the  writer's  humble  duty  as  treasurer  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  to  collect  the  money  and  pay  the  bills  each  week.  Though  there 
has  been  quite  a  little  more  work  attached  to  this  position  than  anticipated, 
I  feel  more  than  repaid  in  the  valued  experience  gained. 

Theta  Chapter  cordially  invites  you  all  to  come  and  inspect  our  new  home 
after  December  first,  if  any  of  you  can  conveniently  do  so." 

Katherine  Anderson  Mills. 

Following  is  a  general  description  of  the  house. 

Exterior  buff  stonekote  with  crushed  marble  pebble  dash,  bottle  green  roof, 
white  casements,  red  brick  chimneys.     Style  of  architecture,  English. 

Interior  in  quartered  oak  on  first  floor,  and  (Georgia  pine  on  second 
and  third  floors.  Modern  vacuum  system  throughout  house,  dumb-waiter  lift 
to  move  trunks,  vapor  system   of  heating,  modern   shower  bath   on  second 


ChAI'I  I.K-HUUSE  OWNERSHll' 


263 


and  third  tiuors.  c-k-ctric  Hoor  pluL;'  fur  sludv  iiurpuses  in  each  bedroom, 
system  of  call  bells  for  each  floor. 

Lambda's  new  house  was  iiurchascd  b\-  the  htlp  of  the  jiersonal  super- 
vision of  the  National  rouncil,  and  the  splciididlv  organized  work  of  the 
alumna'  association  of  the  chapter.  The  active  girls  have  cooperated  in 
every  possible  wav  with  the  alumna'.  Miss  (JrifHth,  to  whom  was  given 
the  actual  task  of  making  the  purchase  ot"  the  house  describes  the  beautiful  new 
home  in  the  following  words  : 

"The  house  recentlv  j)urchasetl  b\-  J>ambda  ('ha|)ler  at  Syracuse  University 
is  located  on  College  Place  facing  the  canii)us,  on  what  might  well  be  called 


Rear  L.\wn  of  Lambd.\'s  House,  Showing  Pergola  and  Garage 

Taken   from   Side   Poich.      (T   'I'   B    House   Just    Rack   of   Garage.) 


'fraternitv  block,'  as  at  least  ten  of  tlie  fraternities  ha\e  their  homes  in  this 
block.  This  is  in  one  of  the  most  beautiful  sections  of  Syracuse,  is  very  con- 
venient to  the  college  buildings,  and  the  liouse  itself  is  probably  the  most 
beautiful  chapter  house  in  the  city. 

The  house  is  a  three-story  building  of  stucco  of  Elizabethan  design. 
Well-planned  grounds  lie  between  it  and  the  street,  and  a  wide  porch  on  the 
side  overlooks  the  front  lawn  and  the  gardens  and  pergola  in  the  rear. 
Window  boxes,  lattice  work,  and  growing  vines  add  a  decorative  touch  to  the 
exterior,  and  quaint  stepping-stones  along  a  raised  terrace  faced  with  brick 


264  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

lead  the  way  to  the  porch  from  the  front  entrance.  ( )n  the  first  floor  is  a  long 
hall,  from  which  one  may  enter  all  the  rooms  of  the  lower  floor.  To  the  left, 
is  the  reception  room  with  its  dainty  cream-tinted  woodwork  and  its  exquisite 
fireplace  huilt  of  mosaics  of  Caen  marble.  Opposite  this  room,  on  the 
other  side  of  the  hall,  is  the  long  living-room.  French  doors  lead  from  this 
room  to  the  porch  at  the  side,  and  another  beautiful  fireplace,  modeled  after  a 
fireplace  in  Canterbury  Cathedral,  is  the  most  attractive  feature  of  the  room. 
The  living-room,  as  well  as  the  library  adjoining  it.  is  finished  in  mahogany. 
In  the  library,  bookcases  line  the  walls.  They  are  fitted  with  leaded  glass 
doors,  each  one  of  which  bears  a  dift'erent  facsimile  in  colored  glass  of  an  old 
English  bookplate.  Glass  doors  lead  from  this  room  to  the  porch,  the  living- 
room,  and  the  dining-room.  The  large  dining-room  at  the  end  of  the  hall  has 
a  very  pretty  conservatory  with  walls  and  floor  of  mosaics  of  terra  cotta.  A 
well-planned  butler's  pantry  and  kitchen  completes  the  first  floor  of  the  house. 
In  the  basement  is  a  lieautiful  chapter-room,  finished  in  oak,  with  an  attrac- 
tive fireplace  and  a  huge  drop-light  of  Tiffany  blend  glass  and  hammered  brass. 

At  the  curve  of  the  stairs  leading  to  the  second  floor,  one  sees  again  the 
motive  of  the  house  expressed  in  the  stained  glass  window,  with  its  pictured 
representation  of  St.  (ieorge  and  the  dragon.  On  the  second  floor  are  the 
rooms  for  the  girls,  each  one  of  which  has  several  large  windows,  and  the 
chaperon's  room  with  its  private  entrance,  porch,  and  bath.  There  are  two 
other  baths  on  this  floor.  On  the  third  floor  are  more  bedrooms,  the  house 
accommodating  twenty  girls  altogether,  and  another  bath. 

Although  the  house  was  not  built  for  a  fraternity,  it  is  scarcely  two  years 
old  and  is  well  fitted  for  use  as  a  fraternity  home.  Hardwood  floors  are  laid 
throughout,  the  electric  light  fixtures  are  of  hammered  brass,  and  expense  was 
not  spared  to  add  manv  convenient  features  to  the  equipment  of  the  house. 
The  great  care  which  has  been  given  to  details  in  the  construction  of  the 
house,  and  the  effort  made  by  Mr.  Ward,  the  architect,  to  create  a  harmonious 
whole  have  given  the  chapter  at  Syracuse  a  home  which  they  are  very  happy 
to  occupy." 

The  home  of  Kappa  Chapter  was  likewise  a  purchase  so  that  the  mem- 
bers were  saved  the  endless  work  incident  to  building  a  new  house.  Mary 
Sayle,  chairman  of  Kappa's  history  committee,  writes  of  their  home : 

"For  some  time  past,  Kappa  Chapter  has  been  considering  house-ownership. 
Serious  contemplation  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1916,  when  a  desirable  propo- 
sition presented  itself.  Some  of  Madison's  best  homes  are  located  on 
Langdon  Street,  a  wide  prominent  street  running  parallel  and  immediate  to 
beautiful  Lake  Mendota.  It  was  on  this  street,  that  a  wealthy  man's  home  was 
placed  for  sale.  Kappa  Chapter  heard  of  it  and  at  first  only  had  vain  hopes 
of  buying  it.  The  chapter  immediately  appointed  a  committee  consisting  of 
Mary  Sayle,  chairman,  and  Floy  Humiston,  to  investigate  the  proposition. 
They  did  so  and  came  back  airing  glowing  reports  to  the  girls.  The  chair- 
man conferred  with  Lillian  Zimmerman,  one  of  our  alumnae  and  chairman  of 
the  National  Building  Committee,  and  with  Ann  Kieckhefer,  Kappa's  al)le 
adviser.     Both  wt)men  came  to  Madison  to  investigate  the  situation.     After 


C'hAPI  KR-HorsK    (  )\VM:KSH  I  1' 


26; 


much  delil)erati()n  ami  extensive  business  sessions,  Miss  Zininitrnian  and 
Miss  Kieckhefer,  as  they  have  done  in  many  affairs,  made  Kappa's  house 
ownership  more  tlian  a  vain  hope.  It  was  in  June  that  these  al)le  helpers 
presented,  in  reality,  a  home  to  Kapi)a.  ( )ur  new  home  is  146  Lan^don 
Street,  the  elegant  and  spacious  home  of  the  late  D.  K.  'I'tnney,  a  wealthy 
Madisonian.  The  house  is  one  of  dark  red  stone  and  brick,  with  large  sleep- 
ing porches  overlooking  our  large  open  lawn  that  extends  to  the  banks  of 
Lake  Mendota.  One  can  scarcely  describe  the  beauty  of  the  whole  and  we 
only  ask  you.  wlien  an  opportunity  affords  itself,  to  come  and  see  Kappa  and 
her  own  home. 


I.MKIUOR    01-     H(JME    OF     KaPJ'A    CHAPTER 


"The  main  floor  comprises  a  reception  room  with  a  fireplace,  a  parlor, 
living-room  with  a  fireplace,  a  large  library  overlooking  the  lake,  a  dining- 
room,  and  kitchen.  There  are  four  bedrooms,  a  bathroom,  and  large  hall  on 
second  fioor,  and  five  bedrooms,  bathroom,  and  liall  on  thirtl  floor.  All  the 
rooms  from  top  to  bottom  are  richly  finished.  The  large  lawn  to  the  lake  will 
be  the  spot  for  many  good  times.  The  accompanying  photographs  and  cuts 
will  give  you  only  a  faint  idea  of  tlie  beauty  of  Kappa's  new  home.  It  is 
with  great  pleasure  that  Kappa  takes  this  occasion  to  announce  its  house- 
ownership  in  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  History." 


<      ^ 


CJ 


^  ts 


Chapter-house  Ownership  267 

All  three  chapters  which  have  entered  iheir  new  homes,  as  well  as  all 
which  are  working  toward  honsc-ownership.  are  doing  so  under  the  direct 
supervision  of  their  alunni;e  and  the  ("ounril.  This  is  extremely  important  in 
order  that  our  chapters  mav  avoid  the  serious  dangers  that  may  attend  such 
projects  in  the  way  of  overburdening  active  members  with  financial  cares,  and 
the  deterioration  of  standards  for  the  sake  of  increasing  the  size  of  the  chapter 
and  its  pecuniary  assets.  Alpha  Chi  Omega  has  approached  the  house-owner- 
ship project  in  an  unhurried  and  careful  wav.  To  illustrate  the  working  of 
the  relation  between  Chajjter  and  Council,  we  herewith  apjiend  the  agreement 
used  in  the  case  of  T>ambda  Chapter. 

An  agreement  between  the  National  Council  of  Al]>ha  Chi  Omega  and 
Lambda  Chapter  (Syracuse  University)  under  the  terms  of  which  $2,000 
from  the  Reserve  P'und  is  loaned,  with  interest  at  5  per  cent,  to  the  chapter. 

1.  Rent  shall  be  $190  per  month  for  ten  months,  payable  to  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Alumnae  Association  of  Lambda  Chapter,  the  $1,900  to  pay 
all  interest,  taxes,  insurance,  and  repairs,  and  $200  on  the  principal. 

2.  No  repairs  shall  be  allowed  except  through  an  alumna?  house  com- 
mittee, one  member  of  which  shall  be  the  president  of  the  Alumnae  Association. 

3.  Each  girl  shall  pay  $13.50  a  month  room  rent  for  nine  months  and 
$3  a  week  for  board. 

4.  The  house  must  always  contain  not  less  than  twenty  girls ;  a  surplus 
number  must  be  ready  to  move  in  should  vacancies  in  the  house  occur.  If  a 
girl  leaves  and  her  place  is  unfilled,  one-half  of  the  room  rent  remaining 
for  the  year  must  be  paid  by  the  girl  and  one-half  bv  the  active  girls  as  an 
individual  assessment, 

5.  The  board  must  pay  for  itself  and  make  a  profit. 

6.  '"Dues  shall  be  $1.50  per  month  for  twelve  months. 

7.  The  finances  of  the  chapter  shall  be  in  charge  of  two  treasurers,  one 
of  whom  shall  have  charge  of  house  and  fraternitv  expenses,  and  the  other  of 
board. 

8.  Any  surplus  of  summer  rent  over  expenses  (if  the  house  is  rented 
during  the  summer)  shall  be  sent  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Alumna'  Association 
to  be  applied  on  the  principal, 

9.  Any  amount  in  excess  of  $100  remaining  in  the  chapter  treasury  at  the 
end  of  the  college  year  after  all  expenses  for  that  year  have  been  paid  shall 
be  sent  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Alumn;e  Association  to  be  applied  on  the 
principal, 

10.  Each  girl  who  is  now  an  active  member  or  shall  hereafter  become  an 
active  member  of  Lambda  Chapter  shall  sign  live  notes  of  $10  each,  or  ten 
notes  of  $5  each,  payable  beginning  with  March  1  after  she  shall  leave 
college. 

11.  The  Alumnae  Association  is  to  pay  off  $500  or  more  yearly,  it  being 
understood  that  improvements  or  repairs  can  not  hamper  the  yearly  pay- 
ments on  principal. 


Chapter-house  Owxershif  269 

12.  The  National  Council  reserves  the  right  to  order  the  sale  of  the 
property  should  the  chapter  fail  in  any  of  the  above  agreements. 

Signed 

Chapter  President, 
Chapter   Secretary. 

The  budget  system,  as  described  elsewhere,  enables  the  chapter  treasurer 
and  the  national  treasurer  to  work  together  with  the  clearest  understanding, 
and  simplifies  the  local  financial  system. 

Another  type  of  desirable  proposition  is  one  used  frequently  by  several 
fraternities — the  building  of  a  new  house  by  a  business  man  according  to 
the  desires  of  and  for  the  extended  use  of  the  chapter.  When  a  chapter  is  not 
in  a  position  to  own  its  own  home,  this  plan  is  a  good  one.  Psi  Chapter, 
University  of  Oklahoma,  entered  this  vear  (1916)  a  house  built  expressly  for 
her  occupancy.  The  homes  of  lota  and  Rho  Chapters  also  were  constructed 
for  their  convenience. 

The  home  designed  by  Alpha  Chapter  for  its  future  erection  is  to  be  a 
Memorial  Hall  in  honor  of  the  founders,  and  is  to  contain  a  treasure-room 
for  the  storing  of  the  valuable  archives  of  the  Fraternity. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

THE  MACDOWELL  COLONY  STUDIO 

Through  an  aperture  in  a  stone  wall  which  borders  one  of  the  forest-roads 
of  the  Macdowell  Memorial  Association,  lies  the  way  to  Macdowell's  "Log 
Cabin."  One  passes  from  the  road  into  the  marshy  path  through  golden-rod 
and  tall  grasses,  under  dense  maple  shrubs  and  old  apple  trees.  Masses  of 
ferns  stretch  into  the  distance  on  either  side  of  the  path.  Boulders  of 
moss-grown  granite  are  strewn  thickly  among  the  trees.  Through  ferns  and 
delicate  ground-pine,  which  twines  about  rocks  and  roots  of  trees,  one  sees  the 
rich  brown  pine-cones  and  needles.  Centuries  of  seasons  have  drifted  these 
into  a  soft  mysterious  earth-rug.  It  clings  even  to  the  gnarled  roots  of  the 
colossal  pines  which  are  so  aged  and  towering  that  only  the  topmost  branches 
are  green.     The  slender  poplars  rise  as  high  as  the  firs. 

Through  such  wild  beauty  one  begins  his  approach  to  the  deserted 
cabin.  After  a  short  distance  the  wet  path  gives  way  to  a  narrow  board-walk. 
This  rather  uncertain  but  dry  bridge  depends,  as  the  case  may  be,  upon 
boulders  or  logs.  Through  the  dense  wood  it  winds  along,  bordered  by  mosses, 
wild  lilies-of-the-valley,  and  brilliant  fungi,  orange-colored,  yellow,  wine- 
red,  or  waxy-white.  After  rain  there  appear  a  few  livid  salamanders.  Away 
on  the  horizon  the  sky,  like  a  glittering  sea,  shines  through  the  tangle  of 
branches. 

This  woodland  path  is  but  a  few  steps  from  Hillcrest,  the  Macdowell 
home.  By  it  Macdowell  climbed  to  his  "Log  Cabin"  which  juts  out  from  a 
steep  hillside.  On  the  high  veranda  of  the  cabin,  facing  Mt.  Monadnock, 
Macdowell  was  close  to  the  waving  treetops,  and  could  perceive  melodious 
airs  in  the  rustling  of  shimmering  poplars,  and  in  the  deep  whirring  of 
swaying  pines.     Here  he  composed  his  greatest  works. 

The  Log  Cabin,  now  so  hallowed  by  great  productions,  was  a  gift  to 
Macdowell  from  his  wife,  Marion  Macdowell,  who  secretly  designed  it  and 
supervised  its  erection.  She  had  perceived  that  even  in  the  music-room  of 
Hillcrest  which  was  superior  to  any  workroom  he  had  possessed  in  his 
harassed  city-life,  Macdowell  could  not  achieve  entire  isolation  and  con- 
centration. "Perhaps,"  she  says  naively  in  her  lecture-recital,  "Perhaps 
his  wife  was  too  near !"  To  the  studio  in  the  deep  woods  she  led  Mac- 
dowell, and  presented  to  him,  as  a  surprise,  the  new  workshop  which  her 
loving  thoughtfulness  had  contrived.  In  the  hearthstone  before  the  enormous 
fireplace  are  engraved  the  words,  "Edward  and  Marion,  August,  i8gg," 

These  simple  words  in  the  "Log  Cabin"  connote,  it  would  seem,  impor- 
tant historical  significance.  For  the  studio  in  the  forest  was  the  inspiration 
not  only  of  great  music,  but  also,  for  the  wide  fostering  of  creative  art,  of 
an  institution  for  which  the  name  of  Macdowell  will  eventually,  perhaps,  be  as 
noted  as  for  musical  composition :  The  Macdowell  Memorial  Colony.  And 
as  Mrs.  Macdowell  designed  and  built  the  Log  Cabin,  so.  after  the  death  of 


The  Macdowkll  Colony  Studio  271 

the  composer,  she  erected,  with  the  same  wisdom  and  sympathetic  enthusiasm, 
more  than  a  dozen  other  studios,  until  a  distinguished  artists'  colony  came  into 
full  fruition.      The  following  studios  have  been  erected : 

1.  The    Bark   Studio,   given  by    Mrs.    Macdowcll.   in  memory  of   Caroline 

Jumelle  Perkins. 

2.  The  Barnard  Studio,  given  by  students  in  Barnard  College. 

3.  The  Peterborough  Studio,  given  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  H.  Schofield. 

Mrs.  H.  A.  Chamberlain,  Mrs.  Andrew  S.  Draper,  and  Miss  Ruth 
Cheney. 

4.  The  Chenev  Studio,  given  bv  Mrs.  Benjamin  P.  Chenev  and  Mrs.  Carl 

Kaufmann. 

5.  The  Pine  Studi(\  given  bv  some  of  Mr.  Macdowell's  students. 

6.  The  Star  Studio,  given  by  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

7.  The  Louise  Veltin  Studio,  given  by  the  alumna-  of  the  Veltin  School. 

8.  The  Helen  Ogden  Wood  Studio,  given  by  Mrs.  Frederick  Trevor  Hill. 

9.  The  Monday  Music  Club  Studio,  given  by  the  Monday  Music  Clul)  of 

Orange.  N.  J. 

10.  The  Myra  McKeown  Studio,  given  by  the  friends  of  Miss  McKeown  in 

Youngstown.  Ohio. 

11.  The  Adams  Studio,  given  by  Miss  Margaret  Adams. 

12.  The  vSprague-Smith  Studio,  given  by  thirty-one  of  the  pupils  of  Mrs. 

Charles  Sprague-Smith. 

13.  The  Regina  Watson  Studio,  given  by  Mrs.  Frederic  S.  Coolidge,  Mrs. 

William  Loomis,  Mrs.  J.  Rosenwald.  Mrs.  A.  A.  Sprague,  Miss  Cor- 
nelia (i.  I-unt,  Miss  Margaret  Lunt  Mdultnn.  Mr.  August  Blum,  and 
Mr.  Clarence  M.  Woolley. 

14.  The  George  Alexander  Chapman  Studio,  gift  of  Mrs.  Alice  Woodrough 

Chapman,   supplemented   by   the   proceeds   of   a   memorial    concert 

arranged  by  Joseph  Regneas. 
The  Macdowell  Memorial  Association  was  established  in  1907  by  friends 
of  Macdowell  to  make  possible  to  other  creative  artists  the  perfect  conditions 
which  Macdowell  himself  had  discovered.  For  creative  artists  in  general,  in 
the  words  of  Schauffler.  like  "American  poets,  despite  their  genuine  love  of 
town  and  their  struggles  to  produce  worthy  lines  amid  its  turmoil,  have  almost 
invariably  done  the  best  of  their  actually  creative  work  during  the  random 
moments  that  could  be  snatched  in  wood  or  meadow,  bv  weedy  marsh  or  rocky 
headland." 

Ten  years  have  passed  since  these  ideal  surroundings  were  bequeathed 
to  the  cause  of  American  art.  The  decennial,  1917,  a  campaign-year  for 
endowment  for  the  colony,  will  declare  to  a  sceptical  public  that  one  idealistic 
community  in  New  England  lias  proved  its  practicability.  Two  elaborate 
pageants  in  1910  and  1914  have  been  produced  on  the  picturesque,  outdoor 
pageant  stage;  annual  musicales  have  acquainted  many  guests  with  original 
compositions  of  members,  and  have  resulted  often  in  recognition  for  the 
artist.  The  professional  directorv  of  the  association  contains  the  names  of 
more  than  sixty  artists  who  have  done  creative  work  at  the  colony  before 
the    season    of    1016.      'I1ic    amount    of    artistic    production    of    consequence 


272  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

accomplished  in  tlie  colony  will  be  understood  more  clearly  by  the  public,  we 
predict,  when  the  John  Alexander  Memorial  Studio  shall  have  been  completed. 
For  in  that  studio,  which  is  designed  after  a  chapel  in  Switzerland  beloved 
by  both  Macdowell  and  Alexander,  there  will  be  an  annual  exhibit  for 
visitors,  it  has  been  specified,  of  the  finished  work  of  artists  of  the  association 
and  of  others.  Book-shelves,  also,  in  the  new  Colony  Hall,  will  contain  per- 
manently volumes  written  by  the  authors  of  the  colony.  The  principal  part 
of  the  proposed  colony-library  will  be  two  private  libraries  which  have  been 
bequeathed  to  the  association.  The  section  to  be  devoted  to  the  works  of  the 
authors  of  the  association  will  be  of  conspicuous  interest,  for  the  colony  has 
been  favored  with  the  presence  of  many  writers. 

The  Star  Studio  has  been  occupied  solely  by  literarv  artists.  Mr.  Parker 
Fillmore,  a  writer  of  stories  about  children,  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Mac- 
dowell Memorial  Association,  has  returned  to  the  Star  Studio  each  season 
since  its  erection  by  Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  1911.  Belle  McDiarmid  Ritchey, 
a  lecturer  on  poetry  and  a  writer  of  stories  for  children  under  the  nom  de 
plume  "Elizabeth  Wier."  wrote  in  the  Star  Studio  for  a  part  of  one  season. 
The  writer  occupied  the  studio  for  most  of  the  season  of  1916  throughout 
much  of  the  composition  of  this  volume.  It  is  hoped  that  1916  will  be  only 
the  first  of  many  seasons  when  Alpha  Chi  Omega  may  be  represented  in  the 
Star  Studio  by  a  creative  worker  in  one  of  the  arts. 

The  Macdowell  Memorial  Association  is  unprejudiced  so  far  as  the 
different  arts  are  concerned.  A  number  of  distinguished  composers,  most 
fittingly,  have  worked  in  the  studios,  but  they  have  been  no  more  numerous 
than  the  poets.  Painters  and  sculptors  have  found  the  colony  as  pregnant  with 
inspiration  for  original  composition  as  have  the  musicians  and  writers.  That 
close  association  of  the  various  arts,  similar  to  what  is  found  in  the  American 
Academy  at  Rome,  was  fruitful  of  good  for  all,  Macdowell  was  convinced. 
The  experiment  of  an  artistic  community  based  on  that  principle  was  of  great 
interest  to  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  because  she,  too,  was  grounded  in  the  same 
belief.  Shortly  after  the  death  of  Macdowell  in  1908,  the  National  Council  of 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  decided,  in  council  session,  to  propose  to  the  Fraternity 
cooperation  with  the  Macdowell  Memorial  Association  in  carrying  out  Mac- 
dowell's  dream.  To  the  Association  Macdowell,  shortly  before  his  death,  had 
deeded  his  wooded  estate  iiear  Peterborough,  New  Hampshire,  and  the  enter- 
prise was  put  under  way  as  soon  as  possible. 

In  1909,  therefore,  a  member  of  the  National  Council  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega,  Fay  Barnaby  Kent,  of  New  York,  a  former  pupil  of  Macdowell's, 
was  given  charge  of  soliciting  an  Alpha  Chi  Omega  fund  for  the  erection  of 
a  studio  at  the  colony.  The  chapters  responded  immediately  and  generously. 
In  1911,  in  consequence,  the  Star  Studio,  one  of  the  most  desirable  studios 
in  the  colony,  was  ready  for  its  first  occupant.  Like  Mrs.  Macdowell  herself, 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  in  so  doing  builded  better  than  she  knew^  How  little  any- 
one grasped  in  the  beginning  the  far-reaching  importance  to  American  art 
of  these  workshops  in  the  wood ! 


The  Macdowkll  Coi.oxv  Siudio  273 

As  illustrations  of  it  show,  the  Star  Studio  is  in  the  heart  of  the  forest. 
Giant  pines  conceal  it  completely  from  the  road  which  passes  Hillcrest  a  very 
few  rods  distant.  Only  when  a  traveller  is  near  can  he  see  from  the  path  the 
green  walls  and  the  slate  roof  through  the  branches.  Hut  two  other  studios  are 
in  the  same  part  of  the  wootl.  'l"he  isolation  and  ([uiet  are  perfect.  The  only 
sound  that  enters  the  windows  throughout  the  dav  is  the  songs  of  the  birds, 
and  the  music  which  constantly  plavs  in  the  treetops.  a  soft,  rich  melody  which 
never  intrudes. 

The  chief  charms  of  the  studio  within  are  the  large  fireplace  and  the 
huge  north  window.  Lovely  hangings  of  exquisite  browns  and  greens  are  at 
the  windows.  The  Hoor  is  of  brick-red  tile.  Beside  the  large  window  sits  the 
heavy  table  for  writing.  From  the  studio  can  be  seen  nothing  but  the  dense 
forest  and  patches  of  sky  through  the  thicket.  Sunshine  and  rain  alike  lend 
new  beauties  to  the  vista.  The  sun  brightens  the  lofty  tops  of  trees  which  are 
dark  with  shade  below.  In  Whistlerian  terms  the  scene  should  be  called,  "A 
Study  in  Brown  and  (Ireen."  The  mottled,  pulsing  shadows  on  the  pine- 
needles  and  on  the  brake,  the  flickering  silver  of  the  light-beams  o!i  the  black 
moss-stained  tree-trunks  afford  e\'er-changing  charms.  But  the  rain  brings  its 
own  excitement  and  loveliness.  For  the  trees  sing  wilder  and  more  solemn 
strains  in  a  storm,  and  the  copse  emits  a  radiant  sheen  through  its  veil  of 
moisture. 

Such  is  the  atmosphere  about  the  Star  Studio.  But  as  each  studio  has  its 
own  marked  individuality,  so  is  the  vista  from  each  different  from  the  outlook 
enjoyed  by  all  the  other  artists.  The  general  program  of  the  dav,  however,  is 
the  same  for  all.  A  basket  of  lunch  is  left  at  each  studio  at  noon,  so  that  the 
worker's  day  need  not  be  disturbed.  An  early  breakfast  is  served  at  different 
parts  of  the  colony  near  the  dormitories.  In  the  evening  most  of  the  colonists 
dine  at  Colony  Hall,  and  an  occasional  impromptu  concert  or  reading  fol- 
lows. The  Sunday  evening  tea  at  Hillcrest  with  Mrs.  Macdowell  is  the 
most  delightful  of  the  colonists'  social  pleasures.  Then  golden  hours  are  spent 
in  the  music-room,  redolent  with  memories  of  Macdowell,  in  the  composer's 
own  flower  garden,  or  on  the  rambling  piazza,  overlooking  the  estate. 

Whether  the  colonists  are  at  work  or  at  play,  there  is  manifest  the  spirit 
of  contentment  and  of  eagerness  to  achieve  work  worthy  of  their  environment. 
Through  contact  with  each  other,  all  the  workers  find  that  their  artistic  hori- 
zon is  broadened.  All  sections  of  the  United  States  are  represented:  the  East, 
the  Middle  West,  and  the  Far  West.  A  spirit  of  ai)preciation  toward  the  work 
of  their  fellow-colonists  warms  the  tone  of  the  association.  A  banal  clique 
spirit  among  artists  well  known  to  each  other  and  mutually  approving  each 
other's  efforts  to  the  extent  of  depreciating  what  lies  beyond  their  ken  is  a 
vitriol  which  would  endanger  the  noblest  community.  The  spirit  of  the  Mac- 
dowell Colony  is  practically  free  from  this  menace  not  only  because  of  the 
disinfectant  power  of  the  generous  idealism  of  Mrs.  Macdowell.  the  business 
manager  of  the  association,  but  also  because  of  the  tradition  of  the  as.sociation 
that  encouragement  of  striving  artists  is  more  productive  of  results  than  depre- 
ciation. 


Thl  Macdowell  Colony  Studio  275 

The  struggles  of  the  colony  itself  are  regrettal)ly  far  from  their  end.  In 
equipment  $50,000  lias  been  given  to  the  association.  But  the  crying  need  of 
the  present  hour  is  for  endowment  to  insure  the  permanency  of  the  enterprise. 
The  annual  deficit  has  been  met  by  the  personal  toil  of  Mrs.  Macdowell  whose 
lecture  recitals  have  yielded,  up  to  the  present,  $15,000  to  the  association.  In 
the  season  of  1915-16,  Mrs.  Macdowell  filled  hfty  engagements  from  Massa- 
chusetts to  California.  It  was  the  i)rivilege  of  numerous  Alpha  Chi  Omegas 
to  lend  their  cooperation  in  this  tour  by  their  presence  and  by  their  influence. 
In  Los  Angeles  Alpha  Chi  Omega  held  a  reception  for  Mrs.  Macdowell,  and 
at  Seattle  a  dinner  was  given  in  her  honor.  The  Simpson  College  Chapter  in 
1912  presented  Mrs.  Macdcnvell  in  recital,  and  other  chapters  and  clubs  will, 
no  doul)t.  have  the  the  same  pleasure  and  opportunity  in  the  future. 

The  members  and  friends  of  the  Macdowell  Memorial  Association  face, 
in  their  loyalty  to  the  cause  and  their  enthusiasm  for  its  success,  a  stupendous 
task.  The  colony  has  rendered  distinctive  service  to  the  unrecognized  artist 
and  to  the  famous  one.  It  should  be  the  work  of  the  nation's  art-lovers  to 
render  a  service  to  the  colony  by  encouragement  and  financial  support.  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  is  happy  to  l)e  able  to  cooperate  in  this,  "the  greatest  art-movement 
in  America." 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

INFLUENCE  OF  GRECIAN  CULTURE  UPON  ALPHA  CHI 

OMEGA 

The  impress  of  Greek  culture  upon  Alpha  Chi  Omega  is  palpable. 
Grecian  influence,  as  one  easily  may  see,  goes  far  deeper  than  the  Greek-letter 
name  and  the  initiation  of  members  by  secret  mysteries.  It  is  manifest  in 
the  very  basis  of  the  fraternity :  its  purpose,  its  ideals,  and  its  requirements. 

Music  among  the  Greeks,  as  everyone  knows,  was  conjoined  intimately 
with  poetry,  drama,  ,and  with  general  culture ;  Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  con- 
ceived from  a  belief  in  a  somewhat  similar  association.  In  the  beginning  she 
asked  of  all  prospective  members  some  musical  culture.  A  general  education,' 
also,  has  been  expected  consistently  of  its  members  who,  even  in  the  oldest 
chapters,  often  received  their  degrees  from  the  liberal  arts  department  as  well 
as  from  the  musical  department.  Often  a  member  followed  only  a  single 
course  in  music,  or,  as  the  case  might  be,  the  requisite  musical  study  might 
have  been  made  elsewhere  previous  to  her  membership  in  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

In  the  denominational  colleges,  in  which  Alpha  Chi  Omega  placed  her 
early  chapters,  the  small  size  of  the  student-body  and  the  close  affinity  of  the 
liberal  arts  and  the  fine  arts  courses,  a  condition  very  different  from  that  in 
most  American  educational  institutions,  rendered  possible  and  most  desirable 
this  union  of  the  ;esthetic  with  the  purely  intellectual  courses.  The  acquisition 
for  membership  of  many  of  the  most  distinguished  musicians  in  the 'colleges, 
and  the  giving  by  the  Fraternity  of  concerts  of  high  order,  and  of  interesting 
amateur  dramatic  productions,  combined  to  give  to  the  earliest  chapters,  as 
they  soon  recognized,  "an  unique  and  enviable  standing  in  the  college  and 
in  the  community."  This  prestige  was  enhanced  further  by  the  accession  to 
honorary  membership  (a  form  of  membership  common  in  fraternity  circles, 
in  the  early  days)  of  the  greatest  creative  and  interpretative  feminine  musical 
artists  in  America. 

As  was  mentioned  above,  a  liberal  education  was  desired  for  members, 
and  in  but  one  instance,  despite  very  numerous  opportunities,  was  a  charter 
granted  to  a  separate  school  of  music.  The  conservatory  so  honored,  the 
New  England  Conservatory  of  Music,  Boston,  is  the  first  school  of  music,  in 
rank,  in  America,  with  broad  and  rigid  literary  requirements  of  its  students. 
The  chapter  placed  there  has  been  a  source  of  great  happiness  and  honor  to 
the  Fraternity.  There  may  come  a  time,  let  us  hope,  in  the  future  of  American 
education,  when  the  general  literary  opportunities  of  other  conservatories 
may  be  sufficientlv  broad,  and  the  material  foundations  sufficiently  deep  and 
strong,  to  warrant  their  winning,  with  honor  to  themselves  and  to  the  Fra- 
ternity, cJiarters  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  and  of  other  National  Panhellenic 
Congress  fraternities.  For  music  and  the  liberal  arts  supplement  each  other. 
In  an  organization  with  such  a  combination  of  aesthetic  and  intellectual 
ideals  as  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  one  is  not  surprised  to  find  its  first  fellowship 


Influence  of  (Irecian  Culture  Ui'ox  Alpha  Chi  Omkca       277 

established  for  the  encourat^enient  of  creative  art.  Sliortly  after  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Macdowell  Memorial  Association  in  memory  of  I'Mward  Mac- 
dowell,  the  most  gifted  of  American  composers,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  built  the 
Star  Studio,  at  the  Association's  colony  for  artists  at  Peterborough,  New 
Hampshire.  The  use  of  this  studio  is  awarded  annually,  by  the  Association 
for  creative  work  in  one  of  the  arts.  Up  to  the  present  time  (1916)  it  has 
been  occupied  by  writers.  In  ca.se  the  Fraternity  presents  an  applicant  who 
is  eligil)le  to  membership  in  the  association,  the  standards  of  which  are  very 
high  in  creative  achievement,  a  meml)er  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  may  receive  the 
fellowship.  The  Fraternity  thus  encourages  creative  art  among  lier  own  mem- 
bers, as  well  as  among  other  young  artists. 

Upon  her  entrance  into  the  state-supported  university,  early  in  the  second 
decade  of  her  existence.  Alpha  Chi  Omega  passed  into  a  new  experience. 
The  relation  between  the  liberal  arts  and  the  fine  arts  courses,  in  such  institu- 
tions, is  much  more  loose,  and  much  less  important  than  in  the  small  cultural 
college.  The  significance  of  the  state  institution  in  American  education  became 
so  tremendous,  from  every  point  of  view,  that  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  flexible  to 
the  needs  of  her  membership,  responded  to  the  changed  situation,  and  slight 
adaptations  and  changes  in  her  laws  made  it  possible  for  a  university  chapter 
of  Alpha  Chi  ( )mega  to  make,  in  its  choices,  the  same  emphasis,  in  regard  to 
departments  of  study,  which  the  board  of  control  themselves  were  making  in 
their  api^ropriations  for  strengthening  departments.  Bv  this  same  adaptation 
to  educational  conditions.  Alpha  Chi  ( )mega  is  free  to  choose  the  finest  type 
of  universitv  woman,  whether  she  is  educated  musically  or  not.  and  may,  if 
desiral)lfc.  enter  a  college  where  there  is  no  school  of  music.  She  persists. 
nevertheless,  in  her  traditional  devotion  te)  music  and  tlie  cognate  arts,  and 
in  her  insistence  on  the  ;esthetic  element  in  a  woman's  education  and  life. 

Like  the  ancient  Cireeks,  the  members  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  from  the 
smaller  cultural  colleges  and  the  great  universities  alike,  have  done  much  to 
disseminate  musical  culture.  I)uring  the  composition  of  this  volume,  the 
author  has  been  told  by  four  different  musicians  of  note  that  the  most  signifi- 
cant and  promising  portent  for  the  future  of  America  as  a  great  musical  center 
lies  in  the  understanding  and  appreciation  of  music  cultivated  by  the  public 
schools  and  particularly  by  the  colleges  with  their  increasingly  efficient  schools 
of  music,  artists'  recitals,  orchestras,  glee  clubs,  bands,  and  musical  festivals. 
The  names  of  many  members  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  appear  on  the  lists  of 
the  faculties  of  these  schools  of  music  ;  a  few  have  established  successful 
music-schools  of  their  own  ;  manv  have  their  own  studios  and  do  private 
teaching;  while  many  either  are.  or  have  been,  on  the  concert  stage.  Artist, 
teacher,  or  "creative  listener"  she  mav  be  ;  it  makes  no  difference.  .\n  .\lpha 
Chi  Omega  may  be  engaged  in  chemical  research,  or  in  homemaking  ;  she  is 
always  ^  patron  of  the  arts. 

In  the  songs  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  (Grecian  influence  is  evident  both  in 
their  spirit  and  in  their  phraseology.  ]''or  example,  in  Maid  of  Grturc.  by 
Margaret  liarber  Bowen,  Delta,  are  phrases  of  Grecian  significance: 


278  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

"I  "svear  a  flowing  Grecian  gown 

With  red  and  olive  bands, 

I  play  a  pearl-tipped  singing-lyre 

With  soul  that  understands." 
And  in  Who  Would  Be /  by  Carrie  Alton  Archibald,  Zeta.  are  imaginative 
figures  directly  alluding  to  the  traits  of  the  Greeks  : 

"O  wlio  would  be  a  Grecian  maid, 

A  queen  of  arts,  a  queei;  of  hearts?" 
The  song.  She's  Pledged  to  Alpha  Chi,  by  Delta,  pictures  the  pledging 
ceremonv  in  terms  of  classic  rites : 

"(O   Alpha  Chi) 

You  are  the  queen  of  all  the  Greeks. 

:ii:  :^  *  *  *  *  * 

A  maiden  sweet  we  bring  you  now, 
Of  loyalty  to  take  the  vow; 
We  kindle  here  the  sacred  fire 
That  burns  in  wearers  of  the  lyre." 
In   the  majority  of   Alpha  Chi  songs   the  theme  is  of   striving   toward 
achievement    which    is   parallel    to    the    eagerness   of    the    Greeks    for    self- 
improvement,  and  for  attainment.     In  many  songs  is  the  sentiment  that  all 
initiates  are  bound  in  common  devotion  to  a  common  ideal,  as  in  Hail,  Alpha 
Chi!  by  Annie  Woods  McLeary,  Zeta : 

"The  praises  of  Alpha  Chi  to  sing, 

Our  voices  raise  on  high ! 

Her  glorious  name  to  the  breezes  fling 

W'hile  we,  as  guard,  stand  by. 

For  high  ideals,  for  honor  bright. 

For  truth's  unbroken  sway. 

For  friendship  in  love's  armor  dight. 

We  herald  her  fame  today. 

Hail  to  thy  motto  the  best  ever  seen. 
Oh,  may  we  ever  heed  its  call. 
As  onward  we  mount 
To  seek  the  heights." 

Direct  Grecian  influence  is  visible  also  in  the  badge,  a  jeweled  lyre,  the 
instrument  used  conspicuously  by  the  Greeks  in  lyrical  or  dramatic  perform- 
ances. It  is  seen,  too,  in  the  names  of  the  publications  of  the  fraternity: 
The  Lyre,  which  frequently  contains  articles  of  artistic,  poetic,  or  dramatic 
interest;  The  Heraeum  (pertaining  to  Hera),  and  The  Argolid  (from  the 
headquarters  of  Hera).  The  names  of  chapter  officers  are  Greek,  as  is  also 
the  secret  motto  of  the  Fraternity. 

Purely  Grecian  is  the  ritual  of  the  Fraternity.  The  temple  music  is  old 
Grecian.  The  robes  have  been  carefully  modeled  after  Grecian  robes.  The 
ritualistic  equipment  is  stately  and  beautiful   in  its   Grecian  perfection  and 


Influence  of  Grecian  Culture  Upon  Alpha  Chi  Omega       279 

harmony  of  detail.  And  the  rites  themselves  are  almost  unbelievably  lovely 
and  impressive  through  their  imitation  of  classic  mysteries.  Preentrance  and 
post-initiation  examinations  of  each  initiate  familiarize  her  with  the  signiti- 
cance  of  the  classic  rites  and  terms,  and,  to  some  extent,  with  Grecian  life 
and  art. 

Through  the  ceremonies,  and  throughout  the  ideality  of  the  Fraternity, 
breathes  the  Grecian  passion  for  perfection.  In  the  Greek  festival-concerts 
"regularly  held  at  various  places,  such  as  the  Olympian  in  Elis,  the  Pythian 
at  Delphi,  the  Nemean  in  Argolis,  and  the  Isthmean  at  Corinth — occurred 
not  only  competitions  in  physical  prowess,  but  equally  strenuous  rivalries  in 
literary  and  musical  art."  Likewise  the  inspiring  words,  "Together  let  us 
seek  the  heights,"  impel  the  members  of  Al]»ha  Chi  Omega,  as  we  all  know  so 
well,  to  excel,  as  in  the  (ireek  festivals,  in  the  physical,  the  intellectual,  and 
the  aesthetic.  They  form  the  inspiring  motto  of  three  thousands  of  members, 
engraved,  as  they  are,  upon  the  tiny  scroll  of  the  crest,  and  written  deeply 
upon  all  our  souls.  To  the  urge  given  by  Alpha  Chi  ( )mega  idealism  may  be 
attributed,  in  part  at  least,  the  personal  distinction,  which,  in  some  form, 
inside  of  college  halls  or  bevond,  has  come  to  most  members  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega. 

In  the  name  of  her  patron  Goddess,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  dedicates  one  day 
to  sacrifice,  as  did  the  ancient  Greeks  whose  worship  of  Hera  was  solemn  and 
universal.  In  the  early  spring,  singular  festivals  called  "Heraea,"  were 
celebrated  by  wonderful  processions  to  her  temple,  where  ceremonies  and 
games  were  held  and  enormous  sacrifices  made.  The  meat  was  distributed 
afterwards  to  the  poor.  On  the  first  day  of  March  (which  is  also  the 
"Matronalia,"  Juno's  great  festival  among  the  Romans),  Alpha  Chi  Omega, 
too.  lavs  her  gifts  upon  the  altars  of  Hera,  not  with  pomp  and  ceremony,  but 
in  actual  deeds  by  her  members,  contributing  to  the  welfare  and  happiness  of 
others.  As  individuals,  or  as  chapters,  each  particular  talent  is  consecrated  to 
this  noble  idea.  Some  members  sing,  play,  or  distribute  flowers  in  hospitals; 
others  give  aid  to  the  poor.  Thus  sunshine  is  poured  into  many  hearts.  The 
spirit  of  generous  giving  nowhere  is  lacking.  March  the  first  is  a  remarkable 
dav  in  the  Calendar  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

The  custom  of  celebrating  other  anniversaries,  as  well  as  the  Heraea,  can 
be  traced  to  the  Greeks  who  observed  many  such  days.  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
honors  the  founding  of  the  order  each  year  on  October  15,  Founders'  Day, 
by  the  transmission  to  the  founders  of  messages  of  love  and  appreciation. 
Similar  anniversaries  for  the  individual  chapters  are  celebrated,  and  appropri- 
ate home-coming  of  alumno?,  in  many  instances,  have  memorialized  the  date. 
The  ceremonies  employed  are,  it  is  evident,  such  as  are  suitable  and  practicable 
to  the  chapters,  and  are  as  dear  to  the  members  as  ancient  ceremonies  were 
to  classic  peoples.  Symbols  as  well  as  ceremonies  were  cherished  of  old.  And 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  loves  and  reverences  her  symbols,  as  did  the  Greeks,  for 
their  rich  connotation.  In  the  lyre,  the  chief  symbol  of  the  Fraternity,  there 
is  meaning — in  the  Ivrc  itself,  in  the  inner  lyre,  the  three  required  stones,  the 
three  strings,  the  scroll,  and  the  triangle.     The  triangle,  indeed,  as  used  by 


IxFi.uExcE  OF  Grecian-  Cli.il re  I  rux  Altiia  Chi  Omega       281 

the  old  Greeks  is  the  inspiration  of  this  fraternity  symbol,  and  of  the  symbolic 
meaning  of  the  number  three  as  it  exists  throughout  all  our  ritualism.  We 
have  the  three  stones,  the  three  strings,  the  three  stars,  the  three  halls,  the 
three  golden  keys,  the  three  parts  of  the  coat-of-arms.  and  the  three  degrees 
of  the  initiation  service. 

Like  the  Greeks,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  seeks  for  physical,  intellectual,  and 
spiritual  development  of  self.  But  she  strives  for  far  more.  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  stresses  unity  in  endeavor;  harmony  in  relation  to  one's  fellows;  sym- 
phony in  the  totality  of  life. 

As  in  the  case  of  the  Greeks  themselves,  the  classic  myths  have  enriched 
our  mental  concepts.  A  survey  of  the  mythology  which  has  most  ai^ected 
our  traditions  is  here  appropriate.  Its  setting  is  in  that  section  of  the  country 
known  as  Thessaly,  where  rocks  and  hills  are  tumbled  about  in  great  con- 
fusion, crag  climbing  upon  crag  in  an  apparent  attempt  to  scale  the  highest 
mountain  of  them  all — that  mountain  placed,  so  the  Greeks  thought,  in  the 
center  of  the  earth,  its  head  a  spire  against  the  sky — Mount  Olympus,  the 
dwelling  place  of  the  gods.  Here  it  was  that  the  gods  of  the  earth,  of  the 
sea,  of  the  underworld,  and  of  heaven  met  in  council  to  take  thought  over 
the  affairs  of  men.     Homer  describes  it  as — 

*     *     "the  reputed  seat 
Eternal  of  the  gods,  which  never  storms  * 

Disturb,  rains   drench,  or   snow  invades,   but  calm 
The  expanse  and  cloudless  shines  with  purest  day ; 
There  the  inhabitants  divine  rejoice 
Forever." 

Its  summit  was  veiled  in  mysterious  clouds,  the  gateway  of  which  was  kept 
by  goddesses  known  as  the  Hours,  or  Seasons. 

In  the  great  hall  of  the  Olympian  king  was  everything  that  could  bring 
happiness.  The  gods  feasted  on  ambrosia  and  drank  the  nectar  poured  by  the 
lovely  Hebe,  goddess  of  eternal  vouth.  Beautiful  music  delighted  the  ear, 
and  learned  debates  the  mind,  for  here  were  asseml)led  the  Muses — -patronesses 
of  poetry,  science,  and  music.  They  were  nine  in  number :  Clio,  the  Muse 
of  history,  the  recorder  of  all  great  deeds  and  heroic  actions ;  Euterpe,  the 
"Mistress  of  Song,"  and  Muse  of  lyric  poetry;  Thalia,  the  Muse  of  comedy; 
Melpomene,  who  presided  over  tragedy,  and  Terpsichore,  the  light-footed 
Mu.se  of  dancing;  Erato,  the  Muse  of  love  poetry;  Polyhymnia,  the  Muse 
of  sacred  poetry;  Calliope,  Muse  of  epic  poetry;  and  Urania,  Muse  of 
astronomy.  All  of  them  united  at  times  in  one  grand  song,  under  the  leader- 
ship of  their  beloved  Apollo  who  accompanied  them  on  his  lyre  of  gold. 

In  the  abode  of  the  gods  was.  also,  all  manner  of  beauty  to  rejoice  the 

eye,  if  Milton  in  his  "Comus"  has  pictured  it  aright.     He  describes  it  as  most 

joyous,  a  spot 

"Where  day  never  shuts  his  eye 
Up  in  the  broad  fields  of  the  sky. 

Along  the  crisped  shades  and  bowers 
Revels  the  spruce  and  jocund  Spring; 
The  Graces  and  the  rosy  bosomed  Hours 
Thither  all  their  bounties  bring. 


282  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

There  eternal  Summer  dwells, 
And  west  winds  with  musk\   wing 
About  the  cedarn  alleys  fling 
Nard  and  cassia's  balmy  smells ; 
Iris  here  with  humid  bow 
Waters   the   odorous   banks,   that    blow 
Flowers  of  more   mingled   hue 
Than  her  purpled  scarf  can  show." 

Can  we  imagine  any  setting  more  exquisite?  Let  us  briefly  now  consider 
those  glorious  deities  .for  whom  this  setting  is  the  background. 

The  Greeks  believed  in  numberless  gods  and  goddesses.  Everything  in 
nature  had  its  special  deity.  Each  tree  had  its  guardian  spirit  and  every 
spring,  river,  and  lake  its  presiding  genius.  The  vast  spaces  of  earth  and  sky 
were  peopled  with  invisible  beings.  But  from  all  this  host,  ten,  or  as  some 
writers  claim,  twelve,  names  stand  conspicuous  as  belonging  to  the  major 
divinities  of  heaven  and  earth. 

Foremost  of  them  all  was  Zeus,  the  supreme  ruler  of  the  universe,  whose 
name  signiiies  radiant  light  of  heaven.  He  personified  the  sky  and  all  the 
phenomena  of  the  air.  The  Greeks  conceived  him  as  the  cloud  gatherer,  the 
thunderer,  the  mighty  one  who  lashed  his  enemies  with  the  scourge  of  light- 
ning, and  yet  also  as  the  giver  of  gentle  rains  and  winds,  and  the  guardian  of 
the  seasons.  Clad  in  a  storm  cloud  that  resembled  the  skin  of  a  gray  goat,  he 
was  fearful  to  behold.  Since  he  was  greatest  of  the  gods,  it  was  always  the 
loftiest  trees  and  the  grandest  mountains  that  were  sacred  to  him,  while  the 
eagle,  w^hich  builds  its  nest  beyond  eye-reach,  was  considered  his  special 
messenger. 

Zeus  everywhere  demanded  uprightness,  truth,  faithfulness,  and  kindness. 
The  story  is  told  of  how  one  day  he  assumed  mortal  form  and  visited  the 
earth.  Wearied  with  walking,  he  happened  upon  a  little  village  where  he 
sought  shelter.  At  last  on  the  outskirts  he  descried  a  tiny  thatched  cottage, 
the  home  of  two  kindly  old  people,  Philemon,  and  his  wife,  Baucis.  These 
good  folk  welcomed  the  unknown  visitor  and  gave  him  the  best  of  their 
homely  fare.  The  great  god  delighted  in  their  quaint  hospitality  and  promised 
to  fulfil  any  wish  they  might  make.  Their  only  desire  was  that  the  same  hour 
might  take  them  both  from  life.  And  their  request  was  granted,  for  one  day, 
after  they  had  attained  a  great  age,  their  places  were  found  empty.  At  the 
same  time  before  the  door  of  a  temple  of  Zeus,  were  discovered  two  lofty 
trees  that  had  never  before  been  seen.  Their  branches  arched  over  the  path- 
way and  lightly  intertwined,  and  as  the  leaves  rustled  in  the  gentle  wind, 
thev  whispered  softly  the  names  Baucis  and  Philemon. 

Second  only  in  importance  to  Zeus  himself  was  Hera,  his  sister-wife.  As 
she  is  the  patron  goddess  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  a  special  account  of  her  will  be 
given  below. 

Among  the  other  deities  of  heaven  existed  no  distinction  in  rank.  Each 
will  be  named  and  a  short  account  of  his  attributes  as  a  god  be  given. 

Apollo  was  the  ideal  of  fair  and  manlv  youth.  As  god  of  the  sun  he 
brought  in  his  wake  the  wanii  spring,  the  lovely  summer,  and  the  abundant 
harvests.    He  Avarded  off  diseases  and  healed  the  sick.    Through  the  Delphian 


Hera 


284  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

oracle  he  was  famed  throughout  the  ancient  Greek  world  as  the  master  of 
prophecy.  He  was  the  god  of  music  and  poetry  and  as  such  the  leader  of  the 
Muses.  To  one  interested  in  music,  this  attribute  of  Apollo  is  perhaps  the  one 
of  greatest  interest.  A  little  tale  which  Lowell  has  converted  into  a  poem, 
"The  Shepherd  of  King  Admetus,"  illustrates  in  some  degree  Apollo's  ability 
as  a  musician.  He  had  been  condemned  by  Zeus,  as  a  punishment  for  some 
misdeed,  to  serve  a  mortal  for  the  space  of  one  year.  He  became  the  shepherd 
of  King  Admetus.  While  tending  his  flocks  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Amphry- 
sus  one  day,  he  stretched  some  chords  upon  an  empty  tortoise-shell  and 

*     *     "drew 
Music  that  made  men's  bosoms  swell 
Fearless,  or  brimmed  their  eyes  with  dew." 

To  his  companions  he  was  a  shiftless  youth  who  mused  idly  hour  after  hour — 

a  youth 

"In  whom  no  good  they  saw, 
And   yet,    unwittingly,   in    truth, 
They  made  his  careless  words  their  law." 

They  laughed  at  him 

"Yet   after  he   was   dead   and   gone 
And  e'en  his  memory  dim. 
Earth  seemed  more  sweet  to  live  upon, 
More  full  of  love,  because  of  him. 

"And  daj'  by  day  more  holy  grew 
Each  spot  where  he  had  trod. 
Till  after-poets  only  knew 
Their  first-born  brother  as  a  god." 

The  last  stanza  of  Shelley's  "Hymn  of  Apollo"   sums  up  most  of  the 
important  attributes  of  this  god.     Here  he  sings : 

"I  am  the  eye  with  which  the  universe 

Beholds  itself  and  knows  itself  divine  ; 
All  harmony  of  instrument  or  verse, 
All  prophec}',  all  medicine,  are  mine. 
All  light  of  art  or  nature  ; — to  my  song. 
Victory  and  praise  in  their  own  right  belong." 

Artemis,  goddess  of  the  moon  and  of  the  chase,  twin  sister  of  Apollo,  was 
always  closely  associated  with  her  brother.  As  he  was  the  ideal  of  manhood, 
she  was  the  ideal  of  maidenhood,  the  embodiment  of  modesty,  grace,  and  vigor. 
Her  brother  was  god  of  the  sun ;  Artemis,  the  fair-tressed  sister,  was  goddess 
of  the  moon.  Its  slender  arc  was  her  bow,  and  its  beams  her  arrows.  To  her, 
in  her  capacity  as  moon  goddess,  Ben  Johnson  has  written  a  hymn. 

"Queen  and  Huntress,  chaste  and  fair 
Now  the  sun  is  laid  to  sleep, 
Seated  in   thy  silver  chair 

State  in  wonted  manner  keep  : 
Hesperus  entreats  thy  light. 
Goddess  excellently  bright. 

"Lay  thy  bow  of  pearl  apart, 

And  thy  crystal-shining  quiver; 
Give   unto  the  flying  hart 

Space  to  breathe,  how   short  soever : 
Thou  that  mak'st  a  day  of  night. 
Goddess   excellently  bright." 


Influence  of  Grecian-  Culture  Upon  Alpha  Chi  OiMEGA       285 

But  during  the  day,  when  not  l)usied  with  driving  her  silver  chariot 
across  the  heavens.  Artemis,  equipped  with  bow  and  quiver  and  accompanied 
by  her  band  of  merry  nymphs,  followed  the  chase  over  hill  and  valley, 
forest  and  plain.  The  lovely  huntress  favored  the  mountain  springs  and 
woodland  brooks  wherein  she  and  her  maidens  were  wont  to  bathe.  She 
covered  the  land  with  beautiful  verdure.  She  was  the  patron  of  temperance 
in  all  things,  the  protectress  of  youth,  and  the  guardian  of  civil  rights. 
Keats  addresses  her  as 

"Queen  of  the  wide  air ;  thou  most  lovely  queen 
Of  all  the  brijjhtness  that  mine  eyes  have  seen  !" 

Athene  was  the  goddess  wlio  sjjrang  from  the  head  of  Zeus  full  grown, 
agleam  with  the  panoply  of  war.  and  brandishing  a  spear.     Shelley  says : 

"From   his   awful   head 
Whom  Jove  brought  forth,  in  warlike  armor  drest, 
Golden,  all  radiant." 

•  She  was  destined  to  enter  valorously  into  many  a  fray  ;  for  her,  battles  had 
no  terrors,  for  she  was  the  goddess  of  righteous  war,  lending  her  support 
wherever  the  cause  was  just.  She  rejoiced  in  martial  music,  in  lightning  and 
the  thunderclouds.  But  she  was  not  wholly  given  to  warfare.  She  was 
gentle,  fair,  thoughtful.  Her  Latin  name,  Minerva,  is  connected  with  the 
Sanskrit.  Greek,  and  Latin  words  for  mind.  She  was  the  incarnation  of 
wisdcm.  the  goddess  of  contemplation  and  of  skill. 

Ares  was  the  war  god  whom  Homer  descril)es  as  a  renegade,  most  hateful 
of  all  gods.  His  name  signifies  Slayer,  Avenger,  Curse.  He  was  never  sated 
with  strife  and  bloodshed,  and  always  preferred  the  din  of  battle  to  all  other 
music.  No  gentle  deeds  were  ever  expected  of  him ;  the  ancients  never 
addressed  loving  prayers  to  him  :  rather  they  trembled  with  terror  at  the 
verv  mention  of  his  name. 

Hermes  or  the  Hastener,  as  his  name  is  thought  to  signify,  was  the 
messenger  of  the  gods.  As  an  infant  he  was  c]uite  unlike  mortal  children,  for 
while  still  a  babe,  he  sprang  from  his  mother's  knee,  seized  a  tortoise  shell 
Iving  near,  stretched  strings  across  its  cavity,  and  sweeping  his  fingers  over 
them,  produced  strains  of  sweetest  music,  thus  inventing  the  first  lyre. 

Hermes   was  a  beautiful   god,  ever  in  the  prime  of  youthful  vigor.      He 

w-as  switt  as  the  wind,   for  on  his  ankles  and  low-crowned  hat  were  wings. 

Keats  describes  him  thus: 

"Foot-feather'd   Mercury  appeared  sublime 
Beyond  the  tall  tree  tops  ;  and  in  less  time 
Than  shoots  the  slanted  hail-storm,  down  he  dropt 
Towards  the  ground  ;  but  rested  not,  nor  stopt 
One  moment  from  his  home  ;  only  the  sward 
lie  with  his  wand  light  touch'd  and  heavenward 
Swifter   than    sight   was   gone." 

This  deit\-  was  tlie  first  of  inventors,  the  god  of  eloquence,  of  commerce 
and  of  science;  tlie  patron  of  travelers  and  rogues. 

Hephaestus,  the  god  of  fire  and  metallic  arts,  was  the  god  who.  the 
ancients  believed,  kept  his  workshops  with  their  glowing  forges  under  various 
volcanic  islands.     He  was  tlie  l)lacksmith  of  the  gods,  the  finest  artificer  in 


286  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

metal.     He  it  was  that  wrought  the  shields  and  spears  of  the  Olympians,  the 

arrows  of  Apollo  and  Artemis  and  that  fashioned  the  scepter  of  Zeus,  and  his 

mighty   thunderbolts.      He   was   a    glorious   god,    good-natured,    loved,   and 

honored  among  men  as  the  founder  of  wise  customs  and  as  the  patron  of 

artisans. 

"Those   who  labor 
The  Sweaty  forge,  who  edge  the  crooked  scythe, 
Bend    stubborn    steel,   and    harden    gleaming   armor. 
Acknowledge   Vulcan's    aid." 

Hestia,  the  goddess  of  the  hearth,  was  reverenced  as  the  oldest  and  wor- 
thiest of  the  Olympian  divinities.  Before  her  shrine  in  city  and  state,  the  holy 
fire  was  religiously  cherished.  The  flames  were  intended  to  represent  the 
purity  of  the  goddess.  From  her  altars  those  of  other  gods  obtained  their  fires 
and  no  new  colony,  no  new  home  was  duly  consecrated  till  on  its  central 
hearth  glowed  coals  from  Hestia's  hearth. 

Aphrodite,  the  goddess  of  beauty,  love,  laughter,  and  marriage,  was 
born  of  the  foam  of  the  sea.  As  she  was  being  wafted  gently  toward  the 
shore,  the  beautiful  Horae  (the  Seasons)  stood  ready  to  welcome  her.  In  the 
words  of  Keats, 

"An  ethereal  band 
Are  visible   above  :   the    Seasons   four — 
Green-kirtled  Spring,  flush  Summer,  golden  store 
In   Autumn's   sickle,   Winter    frosty  hoar." 

With  them  were  also  the  three  Graces,  waiting  to  bestow  upon  her  every 
gracious  gift.  No  sooner  did  she  walk  upon  the  earth  but  everywhere,  at 
the  touch  of  her  feet,  herbage  quivered  into  flowers.  To  her  influence  was 
ascribed  the  fruitfulness  of  animal  and  vegetable  creation.  In  her  broidered 
girdle  lurked  "love  and  desire,  and  loving  converse  that  steals  the  wits 
even  of  the  ^^ise,"  for  she  was  mistress  of  feminine  charm  and  beauty.  She 
lent  to  mortals  fascination — a  gift  which  to  a  few  is  a  blessing,  but  which 
to  many  is  treacherous,  destructive  of  peace. 

The  two  divinities  that  are  sometimes  classed  with  the  major  divinities 
and  sometimes  not,  are  Demeter  and  Poseidon. 

Demeter  was  the  goddess  of  sowing  and  reaping,  of  harvest  festivals 
and  of  agriculture  in  general.  She  was  assisted  in  her  many  duties  liy  her 
daughter  Proserpina.  One  day  Pluto,  the  ruler  over  the  lower  world  stole 
Proserpina  away  and  carried  her  to  rule  as  queen  of  Hades.  Demeter  search- 
ing for  her  child  neglected  her  daily  duties.  The  rain  no  longer  refreshed  the 
flowers,  the  grain  withered  in  the  ardent  rays  of  the  sun,  and  the  grass  all 
perished.  The  whole  earth  mourned  the  loss  of  Proserpina.  At  last  Zeus, 
moved  by  the  many  prayers  petitioning  her  return,  decreed  that  she  might 
return  to  live  on  earth  six  months  every  year.  At  her  coming,  the  skies  became 
blue  and  sunny,  flowers  bloomed  along  her  way,  and  the  birds 
"Made  melody  in  branch  and  melody  in  mid  air." 
Demeter.  happy  once  more,  diligently  attended  to  all  her  duties  and  blessed 
the  earth  with  plenty.  When  at  the  end  of  six  months,  however,  Proserpina 
was  forced  to  leave,  all  nature  again  mourned  her  departure,  till  her  return 
in  the  spring,  while  her  mother  hid  in  a  cave,  inconsolable.      Gayley  says, 


Inki.uenck  of  (iRKciAN  CiM.TURE  Upon  Alpha  Ciii  Omkga       287 

'■'I'lierr  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  storv  nl  I  )emc'tcr  and  Proserpina  is 
an  allegory.  Proserpina  signifies  the  seed-corn  which,  when  cast  into  the 
ground,  lies  there  concealed — is  carried  off  by  the  god  of  the  underworld  ; 
when  the  corn  reappears.  Proser|)ina  is  restored  to  her  niotlier.  S|)ring  leads 
her  back  to  the  light  of  day." 

Poseidon,  sole  monarch  of  the  ocean,  governed  all  the  waters  upon  the 
face  of  the  earth.  As  god  of  the  sea,  he  could  by  one  word,  stir  up  or  calm 
the  wildest  storm,  and  cause  the  billows  to  roar  with  fury  or  subside  into 
peaceful  ripples.  The  symbol  of  his  power  was  the  trident  or  three-pronged 
spear. 

Hera  was  the  daughter  of  Cronus  and  Rhea.  She  was  brought  up, 
however,  not  by  her  parents,  but  by  Oceanus  and  Tethys  in  the  remote  west 
beyond  the  sea.  Here  on  a  lofty  mountain-peak,  Zeus  met  her  and  wooed 
her,  and  here  was  celebrated  their  holy  marriage.  At  this  glorious  event 
Earth  decked  herself  in  her  fairest  hues  ;  the  crocuses  blossomed,  the  hyacinths 
burst  forth,  and  as  a  wedding  gift  a  tree  with  golden  api)les  sjirang  up. 
The  cuckoo,  the  harbinger  of  spring,  sounded  his  note  and  thereafter  became 
sacred  to  the  goddess. 

As  the  wife  of  Zeus,  Hera,  beauteous  and  majestic,  now  reigned  as 
queen  of  the  gods.  White-armed,  large-eyed,  adorned  with  fair  braids  of 
hair,  are  epithets  applied  to  her  by  Homer;  he  pictures  her  in  lUiad  as  of 
giant    size : 

"With  one  hand  grasp  earth  that  gives  food  to  many, 
And  with  the  other  gra.sp  the  glistening  sea." 

When  she  swooped  from  Mount  Olympus  she  sped  on  the  mountain  peaks  ; 
when  she  drove  her  chariot,  her  steeds  sprang  at  each  stride  as  far  as  a 
man  in  a  high  watch  tower  can  look  over  the  sea  into  the  misty  distance. 

Hera  partook  not  only  of  the  honors  of  Zeus,  but  she  shared  also  his 
powers  over  heaven  and  earth.  Like  him  she  could  wield  the  thunder  and 
the  lightning  to  rouse  the  storms.  She  could  even  hasten  the  sun  in  his 
course. 

As  is  befitting  a  queen,  Hera  had  attendants  from  among  the  other  god- 
desses. In  her  train  were  the  three  (iraces,  godde.sses  of  charm  who  were 
present  wherever  beauty  and  nobility  were  found.  Hebe,  the  goddess  of 
youth  and  cupbearer  of  the  gods,  served  her.  Here,  too,  must  be  mentioned 
the  Horae,  the  goddesses  of  the  Seasons,  whose  special  duty  it  was  to  open 
and  shut  the  gates  of  heaven  as  the  celestials  passed  in  and  out.  They  were 
three  in  number,  Eunomia,  Dike,  and  Irene,  and  represented  Spring,  Sum- 
mer, and  Autumn.  They  and  the  Clraces  were  usually  to  be  found  together. 
The  special  attendant  of  the  (jueen.  however,  was  Iris,  whose  name  denoted 
the  many  colored  rainbow.  Iris  served,  too,  as  a  messenger,  not  only  of  her 
mistress,  but  also  of  the  other  divinities.  So  swift  was  her  light  through  the 
air  that  she  was  seldom  seen.  Onlv  her  brilliant  robe  streaming  out  behind 
her  betrayed  lier  passage  from  heaven  to  earth.  Flaccus  pictured  her  thus 
beautifully : 

"Like  fiery  chiuds,  that  flush  with  ruddy  glare, 
Or  Iris,  gliding  through  the  purple  air; 
When   loosely   girt   her   dazzling  mantle   flows, 
An<I  'gainst  the  sun   in  arching  colors   glows." 


288  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

The  many  statues  in  honor  of  Hera  serve  to  show  that  the  ancients  had 
an  exalted  conception  of  the  Queen  of  Heaven,  the  "Goddess  of  the  Heights" 
as  she  was  known  in  some  sections  of  Greece.  She  was  the  ideal  of  womanly 
virtue,  to  whom  were  due  the  highest  respect  and  honor.  She  stands  at  the 
head  of  the  family  of  gods  as  a  mother — the  guardian  of  marriage  and  of 
conjugal  fidelity.  Purity  and  loyalty  were  what  she  loved  most  to  see. 
She  was  the  most  worthy  of  all  the  goddesses,  and  the  most  queenly.  The 
principal  places  of  worship  for  Hera,  or  Juno,  as  she  was  known  among  the 
Romans,  were  Mycenae,  Sparta,  Argos,  Rome,  and  Heraeum.  Other  sanc- 
tuaries were  scattered  throughout  the  ancient  world.  She  Avas  also  worshipped 
in  the  same  temples  as  Zeus.  Perhaps  the  most  widely  known  celebration 
in  her  honor  was  the  Matronalia,  a  festival  which  the  wives  held  in  Rome 
every  vear  on  the  first  of  March.  This  was  attended  with  great  pomp  and 
splendor. 

Hera  has  been  chosen  the  patron  goddess  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  and  in 
naming  her  such,  the  traits  we  wish  to  emphasize  are  her  loyalty,  her  virtue, 
her  noble  dignity,  her  example  both  as  mother  and  wife,  and  her  all-round 
womanliness.  She  was  regal,  generous,  and  pure — well  fitted  to  be  a  leader 
among  the  gods. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 
TRADITIONS  OF  THE  FRATERNITY 

"To  see  beauty  even  in  the  common  things  of  life ;  to  shed  the  light  of  love 
and  friendship  round  me;  to  keep  my  life  in  tune  with  the  world  that  I  shall 
make  no  discords  in  the  harmony  of  life  ;  to  strike  on  the  lyre  of  the  universe 
only  the  notes  of  happiness,  of  joy,  of  peace ;  to  appreciate  every  little  service 
rendered  ;  to  see  and  appreciate  all  that  is  noble  and  loving  in  another,  be  her 
badge  what  it  may;  and  to  let  my  lyre  send  forth  the  chords  of  love,  unselfish- 
ness, sincerity.  This  is  to  be  my  symphony." — By  Celia  E.  McClure,  Delta 
of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

In  this  "Symphony"  of  the  Fraternity  recurs  frequently  the  figure  of  the 
lyre,  as  it  does  in  all  the  symbolism  of  the  order,  and  in  all  its  traditions.  This 
is  true  of  the  traditions  concerning  music,  concerning  scholarship,  and  all  per- 
sonal distinction,  regarding  one's  spirit  of  service,  and  the  attitude  toward 
things  spiritual.  The  place  of  musical  culture  in  education,  now  so  generally 
conceded,  was  insisted  upon  by  the  founders  and  by  the  constitution.  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  was  never  a  "strictly  musical"  fraternity,  as  her  rivals  have  ever 
been  prone  to  remark  superlatively  in  rushing  ;  nor  professional,  as  Baird  still 
classifies  her  as  late  as  1898  ;  nor  was  she  ever,  or  will  she  ever  become  that 
nonexistent  phenomenon  a  "strictly  literary"  fraternity.  There  have  always 
been  in  the  organization  representatives  of  all  the  arts.  "The  only  diliference 
between  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  and  other  fraternities,"  writes  Dean  Howe  to 
the  author,  "was,  that  music  was  the  chief  tradition  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega;  and 
that  some  music  culture,  as  well  as  literary  culture,  was  expected  of  its  mem- 
bers." Mrs.  Loud,  for  many  years  on  the  National  Council  of  the  Fraternity 
as  its  president,  and  a  member  of  the  second  oldest  chapter  in  the  Fraternity, 
describes  well  the  beginning  of  the  musical  tradition  as,  "a  rare  devotion  to 
a  chosen  art,  a  deep  and  earnest  desire  to  make  that  art  a  recognized  factor 
in  American  ideals." 

The  oldest  women's  fraternities  in  the  seventies  were  founded  with  the 
purpose,  says  Ida  Shaw  Martin,  "of  a  protective  league  through  which 
the  members  endeavored  by  united  action  to  secure  recognition  for  them- 
selves as  a  vital  part  of  college  life.  Misunderstood  in  the  classroom,  shut 
out  from  participation  in  the  literary  and  debating  societies  organized  by 
the  men,  unrecognized  in  the  social  life  that  crystallized  around  the  fraterni- 
ties, (they)  were  sadly  in  need  of  the  moral  support  that  the  society  could 
give."  But  in  the  eighties  Alpha  Chi  Omega  faced  no  such  pioneer  problems, 
and  could  add  to  the  social  bond  existing  in  the  fraternities  about  her,  an 
aesthetic  bond ;  and  for  her  pioneer  contriliution  she  chose  to  aid  in  the 
advancement  of  art. 

The  effect  of  the  musical  tradition  in  the  life  of  the  order  was  both 
unifying  and  cultural.  There  was,  besides,  the  same  emphasis  upon  uni- 
versity activities,  the  same  mutual  helpfulness  in  comradeship,  the  same 
appreciation  of  the   fraternity  as   a  source  of   social   experience   which   had 


'I'radii  IONS  (IF    inK  Fraterxitv  291 

proved  of  such  permanent  value  in  the  fraternity  system  evolved  by  men 
students  and  adopted  by  the  women's  fraternities  founded  in  the  seventies. 
Dean  Howe,  the  founder  and  patron,  writes  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  "At  its 
organization  in  1885.  it  was  a  regular  university  fraternity,  upon  the  same 
basis  as  the  Kappa  Alpha  Theta,  Kappa  Kappa  (iamma,  and  other  fraternities 
of  De  Pauw  University.  I  was  very  careful  that  from  the  fifst,  every  step 
should  be  taken  in  accordance  with  the  accepted  traditions  and  methods  recog- 
nized bv  other  fraternities.  I  employed  a  regular  fraternity  man,  a  Beta 
Theta  Pi,  to  lay  out  a  Constitution  and  set  of  by-laws,  such  as  were  generally 
approved  at  that  time.  *  *  Not  a  step  was  taken  that  Avas  not  in  harmony 
with  the  rules  and  regulations  encumbent  upon  our  other  regular  university 
fraternities." 

Other  fraternities,  of  course,  included  musical  students  in  their  member- 
ship. In  fact  the  first  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Music  which  De  Pauw  Univer- 
sity granted,  in  1885.  was  to  a  member,  says  Dean  Howe,  of  Kappa  Kappa 
Gamma.  And  the  School  of  Music  enrolled  "among  its  students,  many  mem- 
bers of  other  fraternities  and  sororities."  But  music  was,  from  the  outset,  a 
beloved  tradition  with  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  and  for  the  first  years  every  initiate 
was  required,  by  law.  to  include  in  her  university  schedule  some  music  study, 
either  in  the  theory  or  the  practise  of  the  art.  This  was  soon  found  to  be  an 
inconvenient  ruling,  and  was  dispensed  with.  But  music  will  be,  forever, 
an  inspiring  influence  to  all  Alpha  Chis,  potent  in  decreasing  what  the  French 
call,  la  dure  unintelligence  des  Ajnericaifis  dii  Nord. 

The  means  by  which  this  influence  is  exerted  varies  in  different  environ- 
ments. Beta  and  Zeta  Chapters  have  given,  for  many  years,  an  annual  public 
concert.  Beta,  indeed,  in  early  days,  charged  admission,  and  furnished  her 
lodge  with  the  proceeds.  But  now  both  concerts  are  for  invited  guests.  Zeta's 
concert  is  given  in  Jordan  Hall,  the  auditorium  where  are  presented  many  of 
the  great  artists  and  concerts.  Alpha  Alpha  Chapter  enjoys  semi-annual  musi- 
cales  which  are  also  of  high  merit  indeed.  Mu  Chapter  has  presented  in  recital 
Maud  Powell  and  Mrs.  Macdowell,  and  has  aided  the  Conservatory  of  Music 
in  all  its  attempts  at  obtaining  good  musical  talent.  Pi  Chapter  was  instru- 
mental in  gaining  a  musical  department  for  the  University  of  California.  All 
chapters  are  directed  by  the  Traditions  Committee  in  such  study  and  in  the 
support  of  such  musical  enterprises  as  seem  best.  Glee  clubs,  choral  societies, 
orchestras,  and  bands,  (juartets,  artists'  recitals,  symphony  concerts,  and 
operas  offer  varied  opportunity  for  the  increase  of  musical  training  and  appre- 
ciation. The  section  of  this  volume  devoted  to  "Prominent  Members"  is  elo- 
quent in  its  testimony,  in  a  limited  way,  to  the  scope  of  such  influence  in  the 
lives  of  both  undergraduates  and  alumnae.  "Fair  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  wherein 
harmonies  abound"  is  as  true  in  1916  as  on  the  day  of  its  prophetic  utterance 
by  one  of  the  founders  in  1886. 

The  spirit  of  the  Fraternity,  too.  is  a  tradition  of  tremendous  power.  To 
analvze  so  subtle  a  thing  in  the  best  way  possible  we  may  define  the  Alpha  Chi 
spirit  as  one  of  unitv.  harmony,  cooperation,  and  loyalty,  with  all  their  atten- 
dant developments.    Of  the  unity  to  which  Alpha  Chi  Omega  points,  the  prize- 


292  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

winning  song  by  Lucile  Lippitt,   Delta,  is  descriptive.     It  is  for  use  as  an 
opening  song  for  chapter  meeting,  and  persuasive  in  its  traditional  appeal. 

Hera,  guardian  of  women, 
Grant  us  now  we  pray 
Strength  to  live  this  coming  hour 
In  the  noblest  way. 

If  our  wills  be  varied. 
Help  us  to  restrain 
Heart  and  tongue  and  spirit 
For  fraternal  gain. 

Guide  us  then  in  seeking 
True  fraternity 
May  we  blend  as  Alpha  Chis, 
Chords  of  harmony. 

To  the  outsider  it  is  the  tradition  of  cooperation  which  is  conspicuous,  in 
college  activities  of  every  kind ;  in  the  serious  purpose  of  the  college — scholar- 
ship ;  and  in  community  life  in  all  places,  in  all  parts  of  the  earth.  In  common 
with  all  fraternities,  the  traditions  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  include,  prominently, 
loyalty.  The  term  is  a  broad  one  in  Alpha  Chi's  conception  of  it,  covering 
loyalty  to  one's  God,  and  one's  duty,  therefore,  to  one's  fellows  ;  loyalty  to 
one's  Alma  Mater  and  her  authorities ;  and  loyalty  to  the  Fraternity,  her  laws, 
and  her  ideals. 

As  a  representative  of  many  of  the  ideals  of  our  traditions,  Hera,  the 
queen  of  the  heavens  in  Greek  mythology,  was  chosen.  Her  dignity,  womanli- 
ness and  efficiency  make  her  an  inspiring  patron-goddess.  In  The  Lyre  for 
July,  1910,  Mrs.  Green  says: 

"It  seems  eminently  appropriate  that  x\lpha  Chi  Omega  *  *  whose 
emblem  is  the  Greek  lyre  to  which  the  old  myths  were  originally  sung  should 
have  a  Greek  patron.  The  ancients  were  skilled  in  the  art  of  music,  and 
Orpheus,  son  of  Apollo,  the  patron  of  music,  was  the  first  Greek  lyrist.     *     * 

To  arrive  at  a  definite  decision  in  the  matter  of  patron  *  *  there  were 
a  number  of  postulates  as  to  the  qualities  and  claims  that  must  be  possessed. 
First  of  all,  the  nationality  must  be  Greek ;  secondly,  we  deem  it  appropriate 
that  a  feminine  deity  should  rule  over  the  destinies  of  a  distinctly  feminine 
organization.  Nationality  and  gender  determined,  it  was  a  question  of  select- 
ing one  out  of  the  several  available  Greek  goddesses.  We  were  strongly  in 
favor  of  a  major  goddess,  and  not  being  averse  to  aiming  high,  we  desired  one 
of  the  heavenly  goddesses ;  also  one  not  previously  appropriated  by  our  sister 
fraternities." 

About  the  name  of  Hera  have  gathered  the  expressions  of  the  altruistic 
attitude  of  the  members ;  so  far  as  spirit  of  service  can  be  centered  upon 
one  day's  activities.  Alpha  Chi  Omega's  great  day  of  service  is  the  Heraea 
on  March  the  first,  or  Hera  Day. 


Traditions  of  thk  Fr.merxity  293 

Hera  Day  Spirit!  What  profnuiul  siL,niitk-ance  has  the  coming  of  the 
"Matronalia"  to  Alpha  Chi  Omegas  young  and  old.  As  in  ancient  times  when 
singular  and  wondrous  spring  festivals  celebrated  the  Heraea  with  processions 
bearing  gifts  to  Hera's  temple,  so  now  wings  across  the  continent  on  March 
1,  an  unending  procession  of  Alpha  Chis  intent  upon  distributing  happiness 
to  many  for  at  least  one  day  in  the  year.  One  day  is  scarcely  correct  for  the 
"March  first"  spirit  is  contagious  and  likely  to  become  a  chronic  habit. 

Alpha  Chi  Omega's  altruistic  work  of  past  years  cannot  be  accurately 
estimated,  but  the  year  of  1915-1916  affords  a  fair  standard.  Practically  two 
hundred  dollars  in  cash  has  been  distributed  to  homes,  hospitals,  missions, 
Y.  W.  C.  A.  work,  and  War  Relief  Funds.  Individual  visits  to  poor,  sick, 
and  lonely  have  been  paid  in  such  a  beautiful  quiet  spirit  as  to  pass  the 
eager  chronicler  almost  unaware.  Chapters  are  easier  to  follow,  and 
there  is  much  that  is  merry  in  their  schemes  and  plans.  Eager  newsboys 
inquire  anxiously  if  invitations  are  soon  to  be  issued  for  their  Christmas 
party;  little  foundlings  gossip  long  over  delicious  dinners  and  candy  hunts; 
old  ladies  earning  a  mere  pittance  barely  sufficient  to  keep  their  frail  bodies 
alive,  are  grateful  for  many  a  Hera  Day  breakfast ;  and  the  inmates  of  one 
Old  Folks'  Home  scarcely  realize  they  have  Hera  to  thank  for  new  warm 
sweaters ;  nor  do  the  crippled  or  sick  children  consider  greatly  the  source 
of  new  scrapbooks  or  of  baskets  containing  daily  gifts. 

Great  temporary  pleasure  in  all  these,  but  one  of  the  most  interesting 
phases  of  the  emanations  of  Hera  Day  spirit  is  the  trend  towards  permanent 
constructive  altruistic  work.  To  illustrate,  one  chapter  turned  easily  from 
celebrating  Hera  Day  to  devoting  the  entire  month  of  March  to  good  works. 
Interest  in  war  relief  measures  was  but  a  step  removed  from  interest  in 
war  orphans,  five  or  more  of  whom  have  been  adopted  for  two  years  by 
three  of  the  chapters.  One  children's  hospital  owes  an  X-ray  machine,  new 
porch,  and  a  bed  to  an  Alpha  Chi  chapter ;  each  March  first  sees  a  pledge 
to  this  hospital  redeemed.  This  chapter  has  a  definite,  excellent,  and  steady 
purpose;  not  so  the  great  majority,  who  are  still  groping  though  not  at  all 
blindly  toward  the  same  goal.  The  Y.  W.  C.  A.  offers  in  many  cases  excel- 
lent chances  for  constructive  altruistic  work,  such  as  providing  a  two  weeks' 
outing  in  one  of  the  Association's  camps  which  helps  to  revitalize  deserving 
young  girls. 

The  far-reaching  effects  of  the  Big  Sister  movement  are  only  just  begin- 
ning to  be  appreciated.  A  Y.  W.  C.  A.  movement  in  its  inception,  it  is  a 
splendid  system  for  interesting  a  group  of  young  women  to  do  concerted  work 
and  to  feel  individual  responsibility,  combining  all  the  fascination  of  a 
Montessori  game.  A  short  resume  of  its  mechanism  will  perhaps  not  come 
amiss  here.  The  chairman,  usually  a  Y.  W.  C.  A.  worker,  selects  from  a 
group  of  our  girls,  let  us  say,  as  this  is  often  the  case,  an  as.sociate  chair- 
man. She  selects  ten  girls  to  act  as  captains,  and  they  in  turn  choose  ten 
coworkers.  At  the  first  meeting  the  tenement  district  or  groups  of  families 
to  be  aided  are  decided  upon,  and  the  entire  year's  work  mapped  out,  appor- 
tioned, and  the  details  perfected.     The  most  interesting  feature  of  this  move 


294  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

ment  is  the  facility  ^Yith  \vhich  it  is  shifted  to  serve  totally  dii^erent  needs. 
It  has  proved  equally  successful  in  college  life.  With  the  same  arrangement 
of  chief  and  coworkers  one  university  has  solved  the  problem  of  caring 
for  the  incoming  freshman  class.  Here,  of  course,  it  is  imperative  that  the 
coworkers  be  well  acquainted.  The  names  of  the  season's  freshmen  are 
obtained  from  the  high  schools  and  distributed  among  the  Big  Sisters  who, 
through  visits  and  correspondence,  expedite  the  selection  of  rooms,  studies, 
and  even  clothing.  All  trains  are  met,  the  "freshies"  helped  to  register 
and  enroll,  are  piloted  to  classes,  and  lonesomeness  and  homesickness  enter- 
tained away.  The  benefits  of  this  system  are  twofold ;  even  greater  to  the 
Big  Sisters  than  to  their  charges,  for  the  training  in  helpfulness  and  responsi- 
bilitv  will  prove  invaluable.  It  is  a  matter  for  congratulation  that  the  Fra- 
ternity has  such  a  large  part  in  this  work.  Many  of  the  chapters  have 
arranged  for  free  lessons  to  be  given  talented  pupils,  and  contributed  largely 
to  loan  funds  and  scholarships. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  how  the  altruistic  work  radiates,  from  individual 
attempts,  to  constructive  general  efforts,  thence  to  distinctly  fraternity  fea- 
tures, such  as  the  splendid  Scholarship  Fund,  the  Macdowell  Scholarship,  and 
the  Reserve  Fund. 

A  glance  at  the  activities  of  other  women's  fraternities  is  interesting 
and  instructive.  Especially  is  it  significant  to  note  the  spontaneous  aid 
rendered  by  scattered  alumnae — as  in  particular  Pi  Beta  Phi's  settlement 
school  and  hospital  at  (iatlinburg,  Tennessee,  which  is  largely  supported 
by  alumnae  contributors.  Chi  Omega  is  foremost  among  fraternities  in  laying 
stress  on  civic  work,  and  her  alumnae  are  very  prominent  in  public  service 
activities.  A  special  department  in  their  quarterly  journal  is  devoted  to 
Education,  Social,  and  Civic  Service.  Chi  Omega  also  offers  annually  a 
prize  for  the  best  article  on  a  subject  related  to  Social  Service  Work.  Further- 
more, the  upperclassmen  in  each  chapter  are  required  to  be  identified  with 
some  form  of  such  work.  Delta  Delta  Delta  maintains  an  emplovTtient 
bureau  for  the  express  purpose  of  supervising  the  training  for  and  selection 
of  vocational  work,  and  Alpha  Phi  finds  her  interests  largely  run  in  the 
same  direction.  It  is  noticeable,  too,  that  for  the  past  five  years  the  majority 
of  women's  journals  have  been  issuing  vocational  numbers  with  the  avowed 
purpose  of  opening  the  eyes  of  the  younger  girls  to  the  possibilities  of  other 
professions  than  that  of  teaching.  Although  the  majority  of  national  fra- 
ternities encourage  individual  altruistic  efforts,  only  two  of  them  require 
any  service  of  this  kind.  Scholarship  funds  are  a  favorite  channel,  apparently, 
and  are  participated  in  by  Alpha  Xi  Delta  and  Sigma  Kappa.  Pi  Beta  Phi 
maintained  for  three  years  two  undergraduate  and  one  graduate  scholar.ship, 
but  has  now  substituted  a  graduate  fellowship  with  a  value  of  $500  which 
may  be  used  either  here  or  abroad.  Kappa  Alpha  Theta  has  a  fund  used 
originallv  for  a  traveling  fellowship,  and  she  is  also  a  contributor  to  the 
support  of  the  Collegiate  Bureaus  of  Occupations.  Two  years  ago  Alpha 
Phi  voluntarily  contributed  towards  the  endowment  of  Goucher  College, 
Baltimore,  which  was  in  special  need. 


Traditions  of  the  Fraternity  295 

The  altruism  of  fraternity  groups  enlists  the  interest  of  all  other  fra- 
ternities. In  no  other  order,  we  believe,  is  there  such  an  enthusiastic,  wide- 
spread enjoyment  of  an  altruistic  custom  as  our  Heraea.  Enthusiasm, 
indeed,  of  a  dignified,  womanly  sort  is  one  of  the  l)est  of  the  fraternity's 
traditions.  And  enthusiasm  all  must  have  who  see  the  relation  of  the  attain- 
ments of  the  past  to  the  present ;  who  experience  the  beauties  and  glories 
of  art;  who  appreciate  the  capacity  of  the  human  heart  for  friendship  and 
its  joys;  who  have  entered  in  reality  into  the  riches  of  the  intellectual  life; 
who  have  heard  the  vibrant  call  for  service,  and  have  felt  the  satisfaction 
in  responding  to  it ;  and  who  have  learned  the  place  of  the  spiritual  in  personal 
living.  In  a  word,  the  traditions  of  Alplia  Chi  ( )mega  guide  its  members 
into  harmony  with   the   fundamental  greatness  in   life. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

THE  PANHELLENIC  MOVEMENT 

One  of  the  most  fruitful  and  farsighted  steps  taken  by  the  National 
Panhellenic  Congress  is  the  establishment,  through  a  standing  committee  on 
City  Panhellenic  Associations,  of  organized  groups  of  fraternity  alumnae  in 
American  cities.  More  than  fifty  of  these  associations  had  been  organized 
by  1915,  and  a  few  have  been  formed  since.  We  shall  in  this  chapter 
describe  the  work  of  the  City  Panhellenic  Associations ;  then  that  of  the 
older  college  Panhellenic  movement ;  and  finally  trace  the  development  and 
activities  of  the  mother  of  both,  the  National   Panhellenic  Congress. 

During  the  incumbency  of  the  first  National  Panhellenic  Committee  on 
City  Panhellenics — Miss  Eva  Hall,  Kappa  Alpha  Theta ;  Miss  Lillian 
Thompson,  Gamma  Phi  Beta;  and  Miss  Martha  Railsback,  Delta  Zeta — 
fifty-one  City  Panhellenics  were  organized.  To  the  National  Panhellenic 
Congress  of  1916  Miss  Thompson  presented  a  paper  on  "City  Panhellenics 
and  their  Activities  in  1916."  For  the  reason  that  the  material  contained 
in  that  manuscript,  though  incomplete,  was  illuminating  and  significant  to 
Alpha  Chi  Omega,  who  is  taking  keen  interest  in  the  movement,  and  is 
sharing  in  numerous  centers  in  the  responsilnlities  of  organization  and  leader- 
ship of  Panhellenic  associations,  the  paper  is  herewith,  in  part,  reproduced. 
In  the  list  of  the  associations,  the  star  (*)  indicates  that  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
is  represented  in  the  Panhellenic;  the  two  stars  (**)  that  she  is  holding 
or  has  held  office  in  the  association  thus  indicated. 

**Atlanta,    Georgia.  *Los  Angeles.  California. 

Baltimore,   Maryland.  Louisville,    Kentucky. 

**Bay  Cities,  California.  Mason  City,   Iowa. 

Bloomington,  Illinois.  Memphis,  Tennessee. 

Bozeman,    Montana.  *Mt.  Vernon,  New  York. 

Cedar  Rapids,   Iowa.  ** Muskogee,  ()klahoma. 

**Cleveland,   Ohio.  **Omaha,  Nebraska. 

Columbus,  Ohio.  Nashville,  Tennessee. 

Dallas,  Texas.  Peoria,    Illinois. 

*Denver,  Colorado.  **Pittsburgh,   Pennsylvania. 

**Des  Moines,  Iowa.  ^Portland,  Oregon. 

**Decatur,  Illinois.  -^Pueblo,  Colorado. 

Elgin,  Illinois.  Richmond,    Virginia. 

Eugene,  Oregon.  Spokane,  Washington. 

*Indianapolis,  Indiana.  **St.  Louis.  Missouri. 

Jacksonville,   Florida.  Sullivan.  Indiana. 

**kansas  City,   Missouri.  =5=*Sycamore-De  Kalb,  Illinois. 

Lewiston,    Idaho.  Waterloo-Cedar  Falls,  Iowa. 

The  share  which  Alpha  Chi  Omega- has  taken  in  the  City  Panhellenic 
movement   shows   how   real   her   interest   is   in   keeping   fraternity   women   in 


The  Paxhellexic  Movement  297 

touch  with  each  other  for  the  i,^ood  of  the  fraternity  cause  and  of  the  cause 
of  higher  education  in  general. 

In  Kansas  City,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  holds  the  presidency  and  rice- 
presidency,  and  has  two  other  members  on  the  Panhellenic  Board.  In  Des 
Moines  she  holds  the  presidency.     The  following  further  offices  are  held : 

In  the  Atlanta  Panhellenic,  the  vice-presidency.  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
was  the  organizer  of  the  association. 

Omaha   Panhellenic.   the  vice-presidency. 

Oregon,  Alpha  Chis  are  on  various  committees ;  have  entertained  the 
Panhellenic. 

Des  Moines,  Alpha  Chis  serve  on  committees. 

Decatur,  Illinois,  president  last  year  was  an  Alpha  Chi;  treasurer,  this 
year. 

Cleveland,  chairmanship  of  committee  to  raise  money  for  an  annual 
scholarship  to  a  university. 

Pittsburgh,  secretary,  and  assisted  in  organization  of  the  association. 

Denver,   Colorado,  membership  on  Panhellenic   Board. 

Sycamore-De  Kalb,  Illinois,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  has  held  an  executive  office. 

Muskogee,  Oklahoma,  organizer  and  president.  The  A.ssociation  aims  to 
raise  an  annual  fund  of  $200. 

St.  Louis,  Missouri,  organizer,  president  of  1915-1916.  The  members  on 
the  Panhellenic  Board. 

Mt.  Vernon.  New  York,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  is  represented  in  the  member- 
ship. 

Bay  Cities,   California,   assisted  in  organization ;  treasurer. 

Not  all  the  organizations  reported  and  hence  the  list  is  incomplete.  We 
quote  Miss  Thompson's  comment  upon  her  Avork : 

"To  anyone  who  has  had  the  pleasure  of  reading  all  the  bright,  interest- 
ing letters  that  came  from  these  *  *  City  Panhellenics,  it  seems  clear 
that  our  college  alumnae  are  a  busy,  friendly,  useful  set.  They  are  doing 
many  kinds  of  good  work  in  a  very  simple  and  efficient  fashion,  and 
are.  at  the  same  time.  enjo\ing  each  other  and  keeping  in  touch  with  the 
college  world.  There  is  an  absence  of  red  tape,  strain,  and  fuss,  tliat  is 
refreshing.  How  much  one  wt)uld  enjoy  dropping  in  to  see  these  sisters 
at  work.  How  much  community  spirit  and  team-work  they  seem  to  have 
carried  out  of  college  and  into  the  work-a-day  world.  No  one  who  reads  even 
these  brief  summaries  can  for  a  moment  doubt  that  City  Panhellenics  are 
worth  while,  to  their  members  and  to  the  community." 

The  activities  of  the  City  Panhellenic  Associations  fall  into  three  kinds: 
social,  philanthropic,  and  cooperation  with  some  college. 

The  associations  whose  meetings  are  solely  social,  because  the  members 
do  altruistic  work  through  other  organizations,  still  make  a  valuable  con- 
tribution to  the  cause  of  fraternitv.  They  "develop  interfraternity  friendli- 
ness, and  keep  in  touch   witli  jiresent-day  college  and  fraternity  conditions." 


298  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Following  is  a  list  of  the  Panhellenics  whose  work  is  chiefly  social,  with 
a  summary  of  their  activities : 

Bozeman,  Montana,  enlivens  its  social  meetings  by  sewing  for  a  hospital. 
Des  Moines,  lotva,  has  a  yearly  banquet  and  a  yearly  business  meeting. 
Elgin,  Illinois,  has  monthly  luncheons.     Each  fraternity  entertains  with 
a  program.     All  active  college  girls  back  for  vacations  are  guests  and  help 
the  alumnae  to  keep  in   touch  with  present-day  conditions  in  college.      At 
Christmas  they  trim  a  tree  as  a  gift  for  children  of  an  orphanage.     Some 
of  their  meetings  are  devoted  to  sewing  for  a  sale,  the  proceeds  of  which  go 
to  charity.     Once  a  year  they  have  a  banquet  at  the  Country  Club. 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  has  purely  social  meetings. 

Mason  City,  loiva,  has  an  annual  luncheon  at  Christmas,  a  picnic  in  the 
summer,  and  devotes  its  monthly  meetings  to  sociability  and  the  exchange 
of  college  and  fraternity  news. 

Memphis,  Tennessee,  devotes  itself  largely  to  parties  and  luncheons,  but 
finds  time  to  take  a  membership  in  the  Memphis  Intercollegiate  Association 
which  gives  a  $300  scholarship  each  year  to  the  girl  who  stands  highest  in 
the  college  entrance  examinations. 

Sullivan,  Indiana,  studies  fraternitv  history  and  reads  Banta's  Greek 
Exchange. 

Waterloo-Cedar  Falls,  Iowa,  has  its  different  members  present  the  work 
and  methods  of  their  own  fraternity.  At  Christmas  it  does  philanthropic 
work. 

Those  who  are  engaged  in  philanthropic  work  are  accomplishing  note- 
worthy results. 

Atlanta,  Georgia,  gives  each  year  a  scholarship  to  Tallulah  Falls  Industrial 
School  (for  mountain  boys  and  girls)  which  includes  all  the  child's  expenses. 
It  presented  the  school  with  a  victrola.  This  last  year  the  Belgian  Relief 
Fund  and  the  local  Y.  W.  C.  A.  benefited  by  the  gifts  of  this  Panhellenic. 
Letmstoion,  Idaho,  takes  care  of  a  poor  family.  It  is  also  making  a  study  of 
rushing  and  of  other  problems  of  college  life,  with  a  view  of  helping  the 
active  girls  at  the  University  of  Idaho  and  Washington  State  College. 

Mt.  Vernon,  New  York,  is  chiefly  interested  in  high  school  girls  who  are 
going  to  college.  It  issues  this  year  a  booklet  giving  the  name  and  college 
of  every  fraternity  woman  in  Mt.  Vernon.  Each  one  has  written  a  signed 
article  telling  what  her  fraternity  meant  to  her  in  college.  In  May  the 
Panhellenic  will  give  a  tea  to  high  school  girls,  and  present  each  one  with 
a  booklet.  They  hope  in  this  way  to  give  parents  and  girls  a  "clearer,  saner 
understanding  of  what  college  fraternities  mean."  They  also  give  teas, 
theatre  parties,  and  other  social  affairs  about  once  a  month. 

Nashville,  Tennessee,  devotes  a  good  deal  of  time  to  the  study  of  frater- 
nity conditions.  It  has  papers  read  at  each  meeting  by  representatives  of  two 
fraternities;  it  investigates  the  activities  of  the  National  Panhellenic  Con- 
gress, holds  debates  on  fraternity  versus  antifraternity,  and  discusses  articles 
in  Banta's  Greek  Exchange. 


The  Panhei.lenic  Movement  "  299 

Peoria,  Illinois,  supported  last  year  an  cniployniciit  Inircau  for  high  school 
students  which  was  "fairly  successful."  It  makes  every  effort  to  keep  in 
high  school  girls  who  might  wish  to  or  be  obliged  to  leave. 

Portland,  Oregon,  gives  a  college  scholarship  fund  of  $250  a  year  to 
some  capable  graduate  of  Portland  High  School.  This  is  a  gift,  not  a  loan, 
and  is  to  be  used  at  the  University  of  Oregon.  To  raise  this  money  it  gives 
a  college  fete,  with  dancing,  booths,  and  a  program.  Tast  year  the  fete 
brougln  $315.  The  sum  of  $500  is  to  be  given  to  the  new  Woman's  Build- 
ing at  the   University  of   Oregon. 

Pueblo,  Colorado,  is  helping  the  V.  W .  C.  A.  in  the  city.  Their  dues 
of  a  dollar  a  year  go  to  that  institution  and  they  raised  a  further  sum  for  it 
by  a  musicale. 

Richmond .  I'irL^i/iia,  has  various  activities.  It  does  charity  work  at 
Christmas.  It  lielps  the  Travelers'  Aid  Society.  It  assisted  the  Woman's 
Vocational  Bureau  to  give  a  Shakespeare  Pageant.  Every  Thursday  it  has 
charge  of  the  information  bureau  of  the  same  society,  and  helps  catalogue. 
A  study  of  fraternity  history  from  Martin  and  of  present  college  conditions 
from  B aula's  Greek  Excliange  is  carried  on  at  meetings. 

Spokane,  Washington,  is  giving  money  to  the  anti-tul)crculosis  movement. 
Because  of  their  interest  a  room  in  the  Edgecliffe  Tuberculosis  Sanitarium  has 
been  named  "The  Panhellenic  Room."  They  also  subscribe  for  magazines 
to  be  sent  to  the  sanitarium. 

Sycamore-De  Kalb,  Illinois,  lends  money  to  some  girl  who  wants  to  go 
through  the  Normal  School  at  De  Kalb  or  through  high  school  or  college. 
It  publishes  a  yearbook  containing  the  year's  program,  the  constitution,  and 
a  list  of  members. 

The  remaining  associations  cooperate  with  some  college.  The  lines  of 
division  are  difficult  to  draw,  because  practically  all  the  Panhellenics  are  con- 
tributing, directly  or  indirectly,  to  the  well-being  of  colleges. 

Baltimore,  Maryland,  has  been  encouraging  pleasant  interfraternity 
relations  at  Goucher  College.  It  oft'ers  suggestions  for  improving  rushing, 
and  stands  ready  to  help  settle  any  difficulties  between  fraternities. 

Bloomington.  Illinois,  is  helping  Wesleyan  College.  It  has  given  a 
scholarship  vase  to  the  fraternity  having  the  highest  average,  and  it  sends 
a  representative  to  the  College  Panhellenic  if  trouble  arises. 

Cedar  Rapids,  loica.  is  connected  with  Coe  College.  It  has  given  a 
silver  coffee  urn  to  be  held  in  turn  by  the  fraternities  having  the  highest 
average.     It  is  also  encouraging  simplicity  in  dress  and  in  social  life. 

Cleveland.  Ohio,  gives  a  scholarship  at  Western  University,  College 
for  Women. 

Columbus.  Ohio,  works  for  Ohio  State  University.  It  gave  a  silver 
coffee  urn  to  the  chapter  having  the  highest  average  to  be  held  for  a  year. 
It  held  a  Christmas  shop  sale  at  which  it  cleared  $180.  This  money  is  the 
beginning  of  a  loan  fund  for  girls,  and  has  already  lieen  lent. 

Dallas.  Texas,  is  raising  funds  for  a  scholarship  at  the  University  of 
Texas.      It   was   organized   onlv   this   Jaiuiary,   but   hopes   to   have  a   girl   in 


300  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

college  in  the  fall.  Some  money  has  already  been  raised  by  bridge  parties. 
At  meetings  papers  are  read  on  various  Panhellenic  matters. 

Denver,  Colorado,  is  interested  in  the  University  of  Denver,  and  in  the 
University  of  Colorado.  It  has  given  a  scholarship  cup  to  both  colleges.  If 
this  cup  is  held  three  years  in  succession  by  one  fraternity,  this  fraternity 
may  keep  the  cup.  It  contributes  to  the  scholarship  fund  of  the  State  Federa- 
tion of  Women's  Clubs.  It  is  trying  to  arrange  for  a  close  connection 
between  itself  and  the  Panhellenics  of  the  two  colleges. 

Eugene,  Oregon,  is  trying  to  solve  the  difficulties  of  rushing  and  to 
reduce  the  expenses  of  entertaining  at  the  University  of  Oregon. 

Indianapolis,  Indiana,  devotes  itself  to  Butler  College.  It  gave  a  tea  to 
all  honor  roll  students  and  awarded  a  loving-cup  to  the  fraternity  with  the 
highest  average.     It  is  also  raising  a  scholarship  fund  for  Butler. 

Jacksonville,  Florida,  is  interested  both  in  Florida  State  College  and  in 
Stetson  University.  It  is  supporting  one  girl  by  a  scholarship  at  Florida 
State  College.     It  expects  to  offer  a  scholarship  cup  at  both  institutions. 

Muskogee,  Oklahoma,  is  just  beginning  its  career  this  year,  but  already  it 
is  working  to  get  a  scholarship  fund  for  the  University  of  Oklahoma. 

St.  Louis,  Missouri,  is  interested  in  Washington  University.  It  sent  a 
representative  to  talk  to  the  College  Panhellenic  on  the  importance  of  keeping 
strictly  to  the  National  Panhellenic  Congress  rule  about  high  school  sororities, 
and  has  helped  the  girls  in  various  Avays  by  its  interest.  It  is  also  working 
for  the  convalescent  summer  home  for  the  St.  Louis  Children's  Hospital. 

Pittsburgh-Philadelphia.  Pennsylvania,  just  organized,  is  particularly 
interested  in  the  unusual  Panhellenic  situation  in  the  University  of  Pitts- 
burgh where  four  chapters  have  l)een  installed  within  a  year  and  where  local 
College  Panhellenic  is  consequently  a  very  new  organization.  The  City 
Panhellenic  has  elected  a  representative  board  advisory  to  the  College  Pan- 
hellenic, and  offers  a  scholarship  cup. 

The  college  Panhellenic  associations  have  been  formed,  where  two  or  more 
National  Panhellenic  Congress  fraternities  are  represented,  by  the  fraternity 
which  was  first  established  in  the  institution.  The  records  of  these  associations 
have  been  as  varied  as  the  problems  which  faced  them.  Their  general 
purpose  has  been  the  same,  to  regulate  rushing,  and  to  render  the  women's 
fraternities  into  a  compact  group  for  the  handling  of  business  of  common 
interest.  Their  methods  may  fairly  be  represented  by  the  appended  published 
information  of  the  Washington  State  College  Panhellenic  Association. 

Sorority   Pledging  Rules   of   the   Panhellenic   Association 

1.  A  sorority  is  a  collegiate  group  of  women  drawn  together  by  con- 
geniality and  maintained  by  constant  offices  of  love  and  service  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  group  and  to  the  college  of  whose  student  body  they  are  a  part. 
Ritual  cements  friendship,  emphasizes  mutual  obligations,  and  fosters  loyalty. 
The  chapters  endeavor  to  attract  to  themselves  kindred  spirits  who  have  like 
ideals  and  would  strengthen  devotion  to  them  by  close  companionship  in  a 


The  Pamiki.i.kmc   Movkment  301 

home  life  and  love  in  chapter  houses.  Toleration,  adjustment,  consideration, 
all  the  virtues  of  socialized  women,  may  come  from  such  association. 

The  sororities  of  Washington  State  College  have  put  themselves  on  record 
as  to  be  depended  upon  to  further  college  welfare  for  all  women  in  what- 
ever way  opportunity  may  offer. 

Sororities  choose  to  their  membership  freshmen  who  are  enrolled  in  at 
least  fifteen  hours  of  academic  work,  also  those  above  the  freshman  year  who 
give  promise  of  adding  strength  in  character  and  scholarshii)  to  the  group 
to  which  they  are  chosen. 

2.  A  number  of  regulations  known  as  "Tht  Interfraternity  Compact" 
have  been  made  by  practically  all  the  national  sororities  assembled  in  the 
National  Panhellenic  Congress.  These  rules,  consequently,  are  binding  upon 
the  local  Panhellenic  of  the  State  College  of  Washington.  Among  them  the 
two  following  are  of  particular  interest  to  new  college  women  : 

"A  girl  who  breaks  her  pledge  to  one  fraternity  shall  not  be  asked  to 
join  another  for  one  calendar  year. 

"No  fraternity  represented  in  the  National  Panhellenic  Congress  shall 
bid  a  girl  who  has  been  a  member  of  a  so-called  sorority  or  other  secret  society 
of  similar  nature  in  a  high  school,  or  other  school  of  ecjuivalent  standing, 
whether  such  society  exists  openly  or  secretly.  This  rule  shall  apply  to 
any  person  who  shall  either  accept  or  retain  membership  in  such  society 
after  September,  1915." 

3.  Invitations  to  membership  in  the  ditferent  sororities  will  be  sent  out 
on  November  18 — Thanksgiving  vacation.  These  invitations  are  calleQ 
"bids."  and  a  girl  is  asked  or  "bid"  bv  a  group. 

4.  All  of  these  invitations  will  be  sent  to  a  disinterested  third  party, 
the  Dean  of  Women,  Miss  Rhoda  White.  She  will  notify  every  girl  who  has 
been  asked  to  join  either  one  or  more  groups,  that  she  has  received  an  invita- 
tion. She  in  turn  will  send  to  Miss  White  her  choices,  five,  or  less  if  she 
desires,  and  an  invitation  will  be  sent  her  corresponding  with  the  first  choice 
possible. 

5.  The  sisters  of  members,  or  pledges  of  a  sorority  are  not  bound  by 
delayed  pledging,  and  may  be  i)ledged  at  the  discretion  of  the  chapter. 

6.  No  one  girl  can  be  entertained  by  any  one  sorority  more  than  three 
times  before  pledge  day. 

7.  Entertaining  is  considered  anything  reiiuiring  the  expenditure  of 
money. 

The  Constitution  and  By-laws  of  the  same  association  are  also  printed 
because  of  its  representative  character. 


302  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Constitution  and'  By-taws 
Pan/ieltenic  Association  of  the  State  College  of  Washington 


Article  I 


NAME 

The  name  of  this  organization  shall  be  the  Panhellenic  Association  of 
the  State  College  of  Washington. 

Article  II 

PURPOSE 

Section  1.  The  Panhellenic  Association  of  the  State  College  of  Wash- 
ington shall : 

a.  Make  rules  to  govern  the  entertainment  by  sororities  of  girls  whom 
they  contemplate  inviting  to  membership. 

b.  Shall  fix  the  date  when  sororities  shall  issue  invitations  to  member- 
ship and  receive  pledges  from  prospective  members. 

c.  Regulate  other  matters  of  local  Panhellenic  interest. 

d.  Encourage  the  chapters  to  take  an  active  interest  in  all  college  activi- 
ties for  the  common  good. 

Section  2.  All  acts  and  measures  of  the  Panhellenic  Association  shall 
be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  president  of  the  college. 

Article  III 

ORGANIZATION 

Section  1.  The  Panhellenic  Association  of  the  State  College  of  Wash- 
ington shall  be  composed  of  the  chapters  of  national  sororities  at  the  college 
and  of  those  local  sororities  admitted  into  the  Association  by  the  chapters 
of  national  sororities. 

Section  2.  The  Panhellenic  Association  shall  be  governed  by  a  board 
of  delegates  chosen  in  the  following  manner :  Each  chapter  shall  choose 
three  delegates,  one  of  whom  shall  be  a  senior,  if  possible,  one  a  junior,  if 
possible,  and  one  an  alumna,  or  advisory  member.  Whenever  possible  the 
junior  shall  be  reelected  a  delegate  at  the  close  of  her  first  year  of  service. 

Section  3.  These  delegates  shall  be  elected  by  their  chapters  to  serve 
for  one  calendar  year,  beginning  the  first  Monday  of  May. 

Article  IV 

OFFICERS 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  the  Panhellenic  Association  of  the  State  Col- 
lege of  Washington  shall  be  a  president,  a  vice-president,  and  a  secretary- 
treasurer. 

Section  2.  The  presidency  of  the  Panhellenic  Association  shall  be  held 
first  by  the  senior  delegate  from  the  oldest  national  chapter  in  the  association, 
and  then  in  succession  by  the  senior  delegate  of  the  national  chapters  in  order 
of  installation,  and  of  the  local  chapters  in  order  of  organization.     The  vice- 


The  Paxheli.emc  Movement  303 

presidency  sliall  devolve  regularly  upon  the  junior  delegate  of  the  chapter 
next  in  order  to  that  whose  senior  delegate  is  president,  and  the  secretary- 
ship shall  likewise  devolve  upon  the  senior  delegate  of  the  chapter  next  in 
order  to  that  whose  junior  delegate  is  vice-president. 

Section  3.  The  officers  shall  serve  for  a  term  of  one  year,  the  term  of 
office  beginning  the  first  Monday  of  May. 

Article  V 
meetings 
Section  1.     Regular  meetings  of  the  delegates  of  the  Panhellenic  Asso- 
ciation of  the  State  College  of   Washington  shall  take  place  the  first  and 
third  Mondays  of  each  month. 

Section  2.  Special  meetings  shall  be  called  at  the  request  of  any  chapter 
represented  in  the  Panhellenic  Association. 

Artic-Ze  VI 

VOTIXG 

Section  I.  a.  In  meetings  of  the  delegates  of  the  Panhellenic  Associa- 
tion of  the  State  College  of  Washington,  each  chapter  shall  have  one  vote, 
to  be  cast  by  its  senior  delegate  when  present ;  or  by  the  junior  delegate  in 
the  absence  of  the  senior  delegate,  when  properly  authorized  by  the  latter. 

b.     The  alumna  delegate  or  advisory  member  has  no  vote. 

Section  2.  Rules  governing  the  entertainment  by  sororities  of  prospec- 
tive members,  the  issuance  of  invitations  to  membership  and  the  acceptance 
of  pledges  must  be  passed  by  a  four-fifths  majority  vote. 

Article  VII 

PENALTIES 

Section  1.  Any  chapter  in  the  Panhellenic  Association  of  the  State  Col- 
lege of  Washington  breaking  any  of  the  rules  of  the  Association,  shall  be 
reported  by  the  local  Panhellenic  Association  to  the  Grand  President  of  the 
sorority  of  which  the  offending  chapter  is  a  member  and  to  the  National 
Panhellenic  Conference. 

Articlr  VIII 

amendments 
Section  1.     This  constitution  can  be  amended  only  by  the  unanimous  vote 
of  the  delegates  of  the  Panhellenic  Association  of  the  State  College  of  Wash- 
ington. 


By-laws 

1.  No  girl  shall  be  asked  to  join  a  sorority  until  she  has  matriculated. 

2.  No  girl  who  has  broken  her  pledge  to  one  sorority  shall  be  asked 
to  join  another  until  the  expiration  of  one  calendar  year. 


vl04  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

3.  No  girl  shall  be  initiated  into  any  chapter  who  has  not  passed  (i.  e., 
registered  for  the  courses,  attended  lectures,  and  passed  satisfactory  examina- 
tions) in  at  least  fifteen  hours  per  week  of  collegiate  work,  or  who  has  failed 
in  more  than   three  hours  of  work. 

4.  Any  girl,  pledged  to  a  sorority,  who  leaves  college  before  she  is 
initiated,  shall  be  considered  released  from  her  pledge  at  the  expiration  of 
one  year's  absence  from  college  ;  and  in  case  she  returns,  any  sorority  is 
free  to  invite  her  into  membership. 

5.  Information  of  the  Association  rules  shall  be  printed  and  the  Dean 
of  Women  shall  be  requested  to  give  copies  thereof  to  each  girl  upon  regis- 
tration. 

6.  The  constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  Panhellenic  Association  of  the 
State  College  of  Washington  shall  be  printed  and  five  copies  shall  be  sent  to 
each  of  the  Grand  Presidents  of  the  national  sororities  represented  in  the 
local  Panhellenic  Association. 

7.  Each  chapter  shall  pay  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  ($2.50)  dues 
a  semester  to  the  Panhellenic  Association. 

8.  Chapters  shall  always  announce  any  expected  visiting  delegate,  and 
she  shall  be  asked  to  address  the  local  Panhellenic  Association. 

9.  The  Panhellenic  Association  shall,  in  its  meetings,  be  governed  by 
Roberts'  Rules  of  Order. 

10.  The  roll  of  members  of  the  Panhellenic  Association  shall  be  arranged 
in  order  of  installation  as  chapters  of  national  sororities  and  of  organization 
as  local  sororities. 

11.  Any  delegate  who  fails  to  attend  any  regular  meeting  of  the  Pan- 
hellenic Association,  shall  pay  a  fine  of  twenty-five  cents,  unless  her  written 
excuse  for  absence  is  received  and  accepted  at  the  meeting  from  which  she 
is  absent.  In  no  case  shall  a  substitute  be  allowed  to  sit  for  an  absent 
delegate. 

12.  All  bills  owed  by  the  Panhellenic  Association  shall  be  paid  by  the 
secretary-treasurer  after  having  been  allowed  by  the  Association. 

The  National  Panhellenic  Congress  illustrates  in  a  striking  manner 
two  important  fact.s — that  women  of  even  rival  interests  can  work  together 
in  harmony  and  to  a  purpose,  and  that  fraternity  women  are  desirous  of 
bettering  fraternity  conditions  in  all  their  phases  and  in  every  possible  con- 
nection. 

Although  an  attempt  was  made  in  1883  to  establish  a  Panhellenic  among 
the  men's  fraternities,  and  ten  years  later  revived  in  the  World's  Fair  move- 
ment, such  an  organization  did  not  materialize  imtil  1909,  when  the  first 
Interfraternity  Conference  was  held.  The  one  accomplishment  of  this  meet- 
ing was  the  appointment  of  committees  to  plan  for  a  second  conference  the 
following  year.  7'he  second  Interfraternity  Conference,  which  met  in  New 
York  City  in  1910,  framed  a  permanent  organization  and  adopted  a  short 
constitution.  As  the  number  of  eligible  men's  fraternities  far  exceeds  the 
number  of  qualified  women's  fraternities  and  the  problems  confronting  the 
former  are  even  more  serious  and   far-reaching  than  those  which  surround 


The  Panhei,i.p:.\ic  Movemf.nt  305 

the  latter,  it  is  a  matter  for  pardonable  ])ri(le.  that  for  fourteen  years  the  lead- 
ing women's  fraternities  have  maintained  a  flourishing  Panhellenic  organiza- 
tion, eighteen  national  fraternities  now  being  represented. 

The  purpose  of  this  organization,  which  was  called  the  Intersorority 
Conference  until  1908,  when  the  name  was  altered  to  the  National  Panhellenic 
Congress,  was  the  discussion  of  vital  fraternity  and  collegiate  problems 
by  mature  women,  well  versed  in  national  fraternity  affairs ;  the  recommend- 
ing to  local  Panhellenics  and  to  the  individual  chapters  the  plans  here  evolved ; 
the  creating  of  a  saner,  more  wholesome  tone  in  interfraternity  relations, 
and  hence  the  alleviating  of  many  of  the  problems  confronting  the  various 
chapters. 

Through  the  work  of  the  National  Panhellenic  Congress  the  Greek- 
letter  world  has  been  made  to  think  upon  a  number  of  important  subjects, 
such  as  a  sophomore  pledge  da\,-,  the  eliminating  of  rushing,  the  chapter  house 
and  chaperon  cjuestion,  honorable  Panhellenic  relations,  and  cooperation  with 
deans  of  women  and  other  college  authorities.  College  chapters  have  been 
brought  into  practical  cooperation.  Steps  have  been  taken  to  curtail  the 
high  school  fraternity.  And  best  of  all  malice  and  derogation  have  begun 
to  disappear. 

The  following  is  a  condensed  outline  of  the  sessions  of  the  National 
Panhellenic  Congress,  most  of  which  have  been  held  in  Chicago.  As  the 
result  of  correspondence  with  other  women's  fraternities  concerning  the 
evils  of  rushing,  Mrs.  Margaret  Mason  Whitney,  Grand  President  of  Alpha 
Phi,  1900-02,  called  the  first  Intersorority  Conference  in  Chicago,  May  24. 
1902.  These  meetings  have  been  held  annually  since  that  year,  being  presided 
over  hv  each  fraternity  in  turn  in  the  order  of  its  founding. 

'l"he  first  Conference  was  composed  of  delegates  from  Pi  Beta  Phi, 
Kappa  Alpha  Theta,  Kappa  Kappa  Gamma,  Alpha  Phi,  Delta  Gamma, 
Gamma  Phi  Beta,  and  Delta  Delta  Delta  (Alpha  Chi  Omega  through  a 
mistake  not  being  represented).  A  set  of  six  motions  was  submitted  to  be 
considered  bv  the  various  fraternities  as  a  basis  of  work  ;  sentiments  on  active 
fraternity  conditions,  such  as  rushing,  pledging,  and  "lifting"  were  recorded 
and  provision  A\as  made  for  amnial  conferences  to  be  called  by  the  fraternities 
in  rotation. 

Alpha  Chi  Omega  and  Chi  ( )mega  were  members  of  the  1903  Conference. 
Two  of  the  four  motions  submitted  the  previous  year  were  accepted,  those 
being  the  suggestion  that  local  Panhellenic  Associations  be  formed  and  an 
agreement  by  the  fraternities  not  to  pledge  before  matriculation. 

The  1904  Conference  admitted  Alpha  Xi  Delta  and  voted  to  admit  Sigma 
Kappa  provided  she  accept  the  Conference  rulings.  The  purpose  of  local 
Panhellenics  was  defined  and  the  Social  Service  Problem  was  discussed  with 
the  result  that  a  standing  committee  was  elected  to  have  charge  of  this  work. 
The  Conference  of  1905  admitted  Alpha  Omicron  Pi.  At  this  meeting 
a  trial  constitution  was  adopted,  a  national  fraternity  was  defined  as  one 
having  at  least  five  chapters,  all  in  institutions  of  collegiate  rank,  and  a 
model  constitution   for  women's  leagues  was  considered. 


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The  Pan  HELLENIC  Movement  307 

The  1906  Conference  remodeled  the  1905  constitution,  worked  out  a 
model  constitution  for  local  Panhellenics,  and  condemned  high-school  sorori- 
ties. A  report  was  given  by  the  delegates  who  had  been  invited  to  convene 
with  the  conference  of  the  Deans  of  Women  in  State  Institutions.  Mrs. 
Tennant  was  appointed  a  committee  of  one  to  correspond  with  visiting  dele- 
gates of  the  various  fraternities. 

The  marked  progress  along  the  line  of  Social  Service  and  the  need  of  the 
cooperation  of  alumna-  were  the  principal  matters  considered  by  the  1907 
Conference.  This  assembly  placed  itself  on  record  as  favoring  a  late  pledge 
day,  preferably  in  the  sophomore  year. 

The  1908  Conference  changed  the  name  of  the  organization  to  National 
Panhellenic  Conference,  suggested  the  organization  of  resident  alumnae,  and 
strongly  urged  sopliomore  pledge  day  and  .scholarship  qualifications  for  frater- 
nity membership. 

The  1909  Conference  received  Zeta  Tau  Alpha  and  Alpha  (iamma  Delta 
who  had  been  admitted  during  the  year.  The  system  of  exchange  of  frater- 
nity journals  \\as  voted  to  be  continued,  and  recommendations  were  made 
that  there  be  no  rushing  before  matriculation  (which  is  defined  as  the  day 
of  enrolment  of  a  student  in  college),  and  that  there  be  no  initiation  of  a 
pledge  until  ten  hours  of  work  is  completed.  Mrs.  Tennant,  who  had  been 
appointed  to  investigate  the  subject,  gave  a  thorough  report  on  chaperons. 

At  the  1910  Conference  the  principal  subjects  discussed  were  the  Deans' 
Conferences,  chapter  house  chaperons  and  rules,  the  matter  of  extension  of 
fraternities,  local  Panhellenic  constitutions,  legislatiye  power  for  the  Confer- 
ence, scholarship  requirements  for  fraternity  members,  and  social  customs. 
Mrs.  Tennant  presented  a  comprehensive  report  of  the  committee  on  chaper- 
ons. 

With  the  exception  of  the  Conference  of  1903  when  Mabel  Harriet  Siller 
was  the  official  delegate,  and  in  1902  and  1904  when  through  a  mistake  or 
a  miscarriage  of  the  mail,  notification  of  ihe  dates  of  the  Conference  came 
too  late  for  the  Fraternity  to  l)e  represented,  Mary  Jones  Tennant  repre- 
sented Alpha  Chi  Omega  at  all  of  the  Conferences  1905-1911. 

In  the  early  history  of  the  National  Panhellenic  Conference,  only  one  day 
annually  was  required  in  which  to  transact  the  necessary  business  of  that 
assembly,  but  for  several  years  past,  two  days  each  year  have  been  necessary 
for  the  consideration  of  the  various  problems  that  come  before  this  body  to 
be  solved. 

On  the  second  day  of  each  meeting  it  is  customary  to  hold  a  Panhellenic 
luncheon,  which  all  fraternity  women  are  cordially  urged  to  attend.  Talks 
or  toasts  on  yital  topics  and  a  brief  resume  of  the  session  of  the  Congress 
add  keen  interest  to  these  occasions.  At  the  1909  luncheon  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
held  a  place  on  the  program,  Mrs.  Tennant  giving  an  interesting  toast.  1913 
Miss  Armstrong  responded  to  a  toast  (in  the  absence  of  Mrs.  Loud),  and  in 
1915,  Mrs.  Greene  appeared  on  the  program.  The  beneficial  results  of  this 
social    side   of   the   Congress   are   ol)vious,    bringing   all    those    who    attend 


308  The  Hisiorv  of  Alpha  Chi  Omec.a  Fraternity 

into  a  harmonious  relation  of  closer  fellowship,  developing  greater  knowledge 
of  vital  matters,  nnjre  hroad-mindedness,  and  a  larger  acquaintance  and 
cooperation  of  fraternity  women. 

The  1911  Conference  changed  its  name  to  National  Panhellenic  Con- 
gress and  adopted  a  constitution  embodying  the  limited  legislative  powers 
wliicli  had  been  granted  it.  These  powers  were :  To  make  laws  that  pertain 
to  its  own  government  ;  to  admit  at  its  discretion  petitioning  sororities ;  to 
levy  annual  taxes ;  to  make  iinal  settlement  of  local  Panhellenic  difficulties ; 
and  to  have  advisory  power  over  local  Panhellenics.  An  executive  committee 
was  appointed  to  have  charge  of  business  between  sessions,  and  of  a  quarterly 
bulletin. 

The  three  following  Congresses  are  covered  by  the  report  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega's  delegate,  Mrs.  Crann,  to  the  1915  Convention. 

"The  Panhellenic  period  elapsing  since  our  Madison  convention  has  been 
pregnant  with  affairs.  The  Congress  has  convened  three  times,  twice  in 
Chicago,  and  in  November,  1914,  in  New  York  City.  Upon  this  occasion 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  in  the  chair,  closing  her  term  of  office  for  the  year 
1913-14,  our  devoted  alumna?  of  Gamma  Gamma  acting  as  hostesses,  under 
the  direction  of  Mrs.  Prank  Fall.  The  hospitality  extended  the  Congress 
and  the  social  features  of  the  occasion  were  beautiful  and  perfect  in  every 
detail.  Two  special  features  were  the  conference  of  presidents,  at  which 
our  National  President  presided,  by  desire  of  the  Grand  Presidents,  and  the 
open  session  which  followed  the  Panhellenic  luncheon.  For  the  first  time  in 
the  history  of  the  Congress,  a  session  was  open  to  the  general  public,  as  well 
as  to  Greek-letter  women  of  New  York.  Addresses  on  subjects  of  general 
fraternity  interest  and  music  followed  by  an  informal  reception  by  Gamma 
Gamma  filled  the  afternoon. 

"Reports  of  business  sessions,  and  details  of  programs  reached  you  through 
The  Lyre.  Your  entire  council  was  present  throughout  the  Congress,  and  it  is 
pleasant  to  be  able  to  tell  you  that  both  Mrs.  Loud  and  myself,  having  kept 
very  close  to  Panhellenic  matters  during  the  present  term,  realized  among 
other  fraternities  at  the  New  York  Congress,  a  greater  appreciation  of  Alpha 
Chi  Omega's  nationalism  and  standards  than  ever  before. 

"The  National  Panhellenic  Congress  accomplished  during  1913-14  what 
is  expected  to  bring  about  the  complete  elimination  of  women's  high-school 
fraternities  (so  called).  The  legislation  originating  with  the  Congress  and 
endorsed  by  all  Congress  fraternities,  makes  ineligible  for  college  fraternity 
membership  any  girl  accepting  or  retaining  high  school  membership  after 
September,  1915.  The  final  administration  of  this  legislation,  which  involves 
pre-pledging  investigation,  is  at  present  being  worked  out  by  the  Panhellenic 
Congress  and  a  final  report  may  be  expected  from  the  1915  Congress. 

"There  is  a  clearly  defined  movement  among  Panhellenic  officers  to 
cooperate  for  the  improvement  of  local  Panhellenic  conditions  which  are 
notoriously  bad,  or  reported  as  inharmonious  or  offensive  to  college  authorities. 
The  first  movement  in  this  direction  was  the  adoption  in  1913  of  Uniform 
Chapter  House  Rules,  folloAved  in  1914  by  the  Uniform  Scholarship  report 


The  Pan  HELLENIC  Movement  309 

form.  This  latter  means  the  securing  of  uniform  scholarsliip  reports  for 
every  Panliellenic  fraternity  girl,  and  greatly  facilitates  comparative  rankings 
among  chapters  l)y  university  and  by  fraternities. 

"During  the  present  year  the  National  Panhellenic  Congress  Standing 
Committee  on  local  Panhellenics  is  at  work  upon  extensive  investigation  of 
criticized  local  Panhellenic  situations,  submitting  findings  to  all  Grand  Pre.si- 
dents  interested  and  with  their  cooperation  drafting  letters  of  advice  and 
instruction  to  such  local  Panhellenics. 

"There  is  an  increasing  tendency  to  adjust  local  Panhellenic  complaints 
and  dissensions  through  the  Grand  Presidents  of  the  fraternities  involvT?d,  as 
prescribed  by  the  INational  Panhellenic  Congress  Constitution.  This  is  as  it 
should  be.  and  the  number  of  such  dissensions  should  rapidly  decrea.se,  if  the 
gravity  of  the  antifraternity  movement  is  understood  by  active  fraternity 
women. 

"May,  1913,  witnessed  the  first  meeting  of  men's  and  women's  fraternities, 
for  the  purpose  of  protection  against  antifraternity  legislation.  From  this 
meeting  there  evolved  the  College  Fraternity  Reference  Bureau  supported 
by  nine  men's  college  fraternities,  seven  men's  professional  fraternities,  and 
eighteen  women's  college  fraternities.  This  organization,  officered  at  present 
by  Mr.  Austin  of  Alpha  Delta  Phi,  Mrs.  Lardner  of  Pi  Beta  Phi,  Mr.  Cook 
and  Mr.  Levere  of  Sigma  Alpha  Epsilon,  with  an  executive  committee  of  ten 
members,  maintains  in  Chicago,  a  library  of  fraternity  matter,  records  of  anti- 
fraternity legislation,  and  all  available  defensive  matter;  and  secures  and 
disseminates  to  its  members  news  of  legislative  action." 

The  1915  National  Panhellenic  Congress  which  met  at  Berkeley,  Califor- 
nia, August  11-14,  found  itself  half  old,  half  new,  as  just  fifty  per  cent 
of  the  accredited  delegates  had  previously  served  at  from  one  to  twelve  con- 
gresses, but  among  the  fifty  per  cent  new,  Mrs.  Harsen,  (jamma  Phi  Beta,  Miss 
Hart,  Phi  Mu,  and  Miss  Corbett,  Kappa  Delta,  had  attended  previous  con- 
gresses. 

The  Executive  Committet  for  1914-13  were  all  present.  The  chairman 
presided  for  the  second  time,  but  in  the  ten-year  interval,  the  Congress  had 
more  than  doubled  the  number  of  accredited  delegates  and  the  number  of 
visitors  had  increased  from  a  chance  one  or  two  to  full  representation  of 
several  national  councils. 

One  of  the  most  important  acts  of  the  T'ourtcenth  Congress  was  the  unani- 
mous approval  of  a  recommendation  to  make  Banta's  Greek  Exchange  the 
official  organ  of  the  National  Panhellenic  Congress  and  therefore,  as  the 
minutes  of  the  Congress  will  be  printed  in  this  issue,  no  further  mention  will 
be  made  of  the  business  of  the  Congress. 

Two  years  ago  in  Chicago,  the  editors  of  the  several  fraternity  journals 
met  prior  to  National  Panhellenic  Congress,  elected  a  chairman  and  secretary, 
enjoyed  helpful  discussions  of  common  problems,  adopted  tentative  plans  for 
mutual  benefit  and  agreed  to  meet  again  in  two  years.  So  at  the  call  of  the 
chairman,  Miss  R.  Louise  Fitch.  Delta  Delta  Delta,  the  editors  again  met.  but 
Miss  Fitch,  though  in  Berkeley,  was  unable  to  attend,  and  Miss  Pearle  Green, 


310  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Kappa  Alpha  Theta.  secretary,  was  made  chairman.  At  this  session  Miss 
Armstrong,  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  was  appointed  a  committee  to  investigate  syn- 
dicated advertising  for  fraternity  journals. 

The  National  Panhellenic  Congresses  have  already  accomplished  much 
good,  and  there  is  almost  no  limit  to  the  beneficial  results  that  may  yet  be 
attained  by  this  organization  in  its  relation  to  college  life.  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
has  always  taken  deep  interest  in  the  Congress  and  in  the  results  which  it 
is   trving  to   attain. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

PROMINENT  MEMBERS 

Early  in  the  history  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  in  1886,  at  (jreencastle, 
Indiana,  there  was  initiated  the  first  of  a  series  of  celebrated  musicians.  Julia 
Rive-King.  During  the  thirty-one  years  of  the  existence  of  the  Fraternity, 
fifteen  distinguished  women  have  honored  the  organization  in  a  similar  man- 
ner:  Adele  Aus  der  Olie  (Theta) ;  Mary  Cheney  Beach  (Mrs.  H.  H.  A.) 
(Zeta);  Mme.  Teresa  Carefio  (Zeta) ;  Mme.  Marie  Decca  (Alpha);  Helen 
Hopekirk  (Mrs.  Helen  Hopekirk  \\'ilson)  (Zeta):  Margaret  Ruthven  Lang 
(Zeta) ;  Mrs.  Mary  Howe  Lavin  (Alpha) ;  Mrs.  Edward  Macdowell  (Zeta) ; 
Maud  Powell  (Mrs.  H.  Godfrey  Turner)  (Alpha);  Mrs.  Julia  Rive-King 
(Alpha);  Neally  Stevens  (Alpha) ;  Mrs.  Antoinette  Szumowska  Adamowski 
(Zeta);  Adela  Verne  (Epsilon) ;  Ellen  Beach  Yaw  (Mrs.  (ioldthwaite) 
(Epsilon) ;  and  Mme.  Fannie  Bloomfield-Zeisler  (Alpha).  Madame  Zeisler 
was  the  second  to  be  initiated,  in  1888,  and  Mrs.  Macdowell.  the  last  of  the 
fifteen  artists,  was  taken  through  the  mysteries  on  January  5,  1916,  in  Boston. 
The  relation  between  the  honorary  members  and  the  college  members  has  been 
affectionate  and  helpful.  There  was  much  for  college  women  to  do  in  the 
eighties  in  the  cultivation  of  an  appreciation  of  the  best  music  and  of  the 
greatest  artists  both  in  academic  halls  and  in  the  general  public.  Musicians 
■of  today  attribute  much  of  the  remarkable  development  of  the  art  of  music 
in  America  to  the  interest  and  activity  of  college  students.  The  more  or  less 
close  relation  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  with  these  great  musicians  contributed,  we 
feel,  not  only  to  the  personal  culture  of  Alpha  Chi  Omegas,  but  also  to  the 
raising  of  the  aesthetic  standards  of  the  country.  Brief  sketches  of  those 
honorary  members  with  whom  the  Fraternity  was  able  to  keep  in  touch  down 
to  the  present  time  are  included  very  properly  in  this  account  of  the  prominent 
members. 

Fannie  Bloomfield-Zeisler 

Living  quietly,  for  the  most  part,  in  the  very  commercial  city  of  Chicago, 
which  is  fast  becoming  a  better  musical  center,  is  one  of  the  greatest 
pianists  of  the  present  day — one  whom  Alpha  Chi  Omega  may  well  delight 
to  honor — Mme.  Fannie  Bloomfield-Zeisler. 

There  are  perhaps  a  hundred  creditable  pianists  in  the  world  today,  and 
this  number  may  be  narrowed  to  a  half  dozen  or  even  fewer,  who  stand  out 
from  the  others  as  the  really  great  geniuses  of  the  keyboard.  Among  these, 
by  grace  of  her  great  gifts,  intense  ambition,  and  unflagging  application, 
Mme.  Zeisler  surely  belongs. 

Although  born  in  Bielitz  in  the  Austrian  Silesia,  she  has  chosen  to  make 
America  her  home,  and  owing  to  that  trait  peculiar  to  Americans  of  not 
valuing  artists  in  full  measure  unless  they  dwell  in  a  foreign  land,  she  is 
perhaps,  outside  of  the  musical  centers  of  New  York,  Boston,  and  Chicago, 
too  little  realized,  and  too  little  appreciated. 


312 


The  HisroRV  ok  Ai.i^ha  Chi  Omega  Fraterxity 


Fannie  Bloomfield-Zeisler 


As  is  usual  in  the  case  of  genius,   Mme.  Zeisler's  musical  and  pianistic 
gifts   were  manifested   at   a   very   early   age,   and   when   the   brilliant    Mme. 
Essipof   and   then   wife  of   Leschetizky   was  making   a  concert   tour   of   this 
country,   the  little   Fannie   Bloomfield  was 
taken   to   play  before  her.      Mme.   Essipof 
recognized  at  once  a  musical  genius,  and 
advised    further   study   under    Leschetizky. 
Her  advice  was  taken,  and  Fannie  Bloom- 
field  departed  for  Vienna,  the  home  of  this 
great  piano  pedagogue,  where  at  the  plastic 
age  of  twelve  she  fell  into  his  hands,  to  be 
moulded  into  one  of  the  greatest  virtuosos 
of  our  time. 

Styled  by  him  "my  electric  wonder,"  her 
touch  has  indeed  that  magnetic  poAvtr 
which  has  thrilled  and  swayed  and  fasci- 
nated audiences  the  world  over.  Undoubt- 
edly her  high  rank  even  amongst  the  great 
is  due  to  the  fact  that  she  has  not  been 
content  with  mere  genius,  Imt  has  been 
untiring  in  her  zeal  ancl  ambition  to  bring 
it  to  the  highest  possible  development.  Five 
hard-working  years  were  spent  under  Les- 
chetizky to  make  "fingers"  as  he  termed  it — fingers  that  would  respond 
and  give  instant  expression  to  the  wealth  of  musical  nature  behind  them. 
When  launched  upon  the  concert  world  she  immediately  dazzled,  and  her 
field  each  year  has  become  broader,  and  her  hold  greater  upon  all  musically 
knowing  peoples.  Her  triumphs  in  Germany,  where  they  know  and  recognize 
the  truly  fine  in  music  very  quickly,  and  as  quickly  condemn  that  which  is 
not,  have  been  perhaps  greater  than  in  any  other  country. 

Maud  Powell 

Maud  Powell  ranks  today  with  the  greatest  violinists,  in  which  rank  she 
is  placed  not  merely  by  the  concert-going  public.  It  is  with  the  musicians 
themselves  that  this  woman  finds  especial  favor.  This  is  because  of  that 
element  in  her  playing  Avhich  is  the  true  exposition  of  the  word  musicianship. 
She  has  ever  held  herself  aloof  from  the  mere  exploitation  of  the  "tricks  of  the 
trade,"  with  which  she  in  the  beginning  could  probably  have  filled  her  houses 
much  more  quickly  than  by  steady  devotion  to  the  highest  ideals.  It  is  not 
a  common  occurrence  that  a  musician  upholds  the  highest  and  best  in  musical 
art  always,  and  yet  reaches  the  heart  and  sensibilities  of  their  public,  but  this 
Maud  Powell  has  achieved.  One  reads  in  her  very  face  and  presence  the 
strength  of  character  it  has  taken  to  do  it  ;  and  in  her  earnest  mien,  the  devo- 
tion she  has  given  to  the  cause. 

Her  birthplace  was  Peru,  Illinois  ;  her  father  a  literary  man  of  English- 
Welsh  extraction,  and  her  mother  an  Hungarian,  also  gifted  musically.     Her 


Prom i  xkx  t   M km  isers 


313 


musical  education  was  l)ejj;uii  in  Chicago  while  very  young,  and  after  four 
years  of  study  there  she  was  taken  to  Leijozig.  At  the  end  of  the  year  she 
was  awarded  a  diploma  at  the  public  examination  held  in  the  Owendhaus. 

and  then  proceeded  to  Paris,  where,  out 
of  eighty  applicants,  she  obtained  one  of 
the  six  vacancies  in  Dancla's  class.  While 
on  a  concert  tour  through  England  the 
great  Joachim  heard  her.  and  invited  her 
to  15erliii  to  become  his  pupil,  her  debut 
being  made  there  in  1885  with  the  Bruch 
C  minor  Concerto.  In  the  .same  year  she 
returned  to  New  York  to  play  under 
Theodore  Thomas,  and  after  a  series  of 
successful  appearances  for  several  years, 
she  in  1892  toured  Germany  and  Austria 
as  representative  American  violinist  with 
the  New  York  Arion  Society.  The  fol- 
lowing year  she  appeared  in  the  same 
capacity  at  the  World's  Exposition  at 
Chicago,  and  also  read  a  paper,  "Woman 
and  the  Violin,"  at  the  Woman's  Musical 
Congress.  She  enjoys  the  distinction  of 
being  the  first  to  interpret  many  of  the 
greatest  works  for  violin  for  the  public, 
and  of  being  one  of  the  very  few  profes- 
sionals who  actually  earn  their  livelihood 
by  concert  work  alone,  without  having 
resort  to   teaching. 

Maud  Powell  stands  before  us  as  an 
example  of  what  may  be  achieved  by  American  w-omanhood. 


Maud    Powell 


M  iiu\  J  alia  Rivc-Kiiii:: 

Much   has  been   written   about   this  celebrated   artist,    and   the   public   in 
general  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  her  brilliant   professional  career. 

She  was  a  pupil  of   Rubinstein.   Reinicke.   and   Liszt,  the  latter  having 
written    her   the    following   letter,    which    would    alone    proclaim    her    status, 
written  as  it  was  by  the  greatest  pianist  who  has  ever  lived: 
Madam : 

The  echo  of  your  brilliant  success  often  reaches  me  and  I  join  heartily  in 
the  applause.  I  thank  you  most  sincerely  for  the  amiable  attention  you 
express  to  me  by  the  dedication  of  your  Polonaise  Ileroique.  It  seems  to 
command  a  pompous  and  martial  instrumentation  of  numerous  clarions  and 
drums.     Please   accept,  my   dear    Madam,   my   very   humble   homage. 

F.  Liszt. 

Mme.  Rive-King  made  her  debut  at  the  age  of  sixteen  with  the  Gwendhaus 

Orchestra   in    Leipzig,    achieving   great    success.      Since    her   return   to    this 

country,  she  has  record  of  over  four  thousand  concerts  and  recitals  to  her 


314  Thk  HisroKv  ok  Alpha  Chi  Omeiia  Fraternity 

credit.  Five  hundred  of  these  were  with  orchestra,  two  hundred  heing  under 
the  baton  of  Theodore  Thomas  and  over  seventy  with  the  New  York  Philhar- 
monic Orchestra.  She  has  won  recognition  also  as  a  composer  and  arranger 
of  classical  works.  Her  piano  playing  is  chaste  and  unaffected  in  stvle,  but 
underneath  her  placid  exterior  there  glows  a  warmly  musical  nature,  which 
betrays  itself  in  the  subtle  insight  and  sympathy  for  the  music. 

Mine.  Antoinette  Sziimoivsha 

Mme.  Antoinette  Szumowska.  a  charming  Polish  woman,  is  perhaps  an 
exact  opposite  both  in  her  musical  make-up  and  in  personality  to  her  artist 
friend,  Mme.  Hopekirk.  but  the  two  are  very  good  friends,  nevertheless. 

Mme.  Szumowska  is  not  alone  distinguished  as  an  interpreter  of  Chopin, 
but  for  being  the  mother  of  two  very  beautiful  children,  Helene  and  Thaddeus 
by  name,  whom  she  always  proudly  exhibits  to  any  resident  Alpha  Chis  who 
mav  come  to  call  or  to  partake  of  a  cup  of  tea  with  her  at  her  invitation. 
Her  husband  is  Mr.  Josef  Adamowski,  the  well-known  cellist,  for  some  time 
a  member  of  the  Boston  Symphony  Orchestra,  now  head  of  the  cello  depart- 
ment of  the  New  England  Conservatory  of  Music. 

Mme.  Szumowska's  tastes  are  decidedly  domestic,  and  the  time  she  can 
spare  from  her  professional  life  as  pianist  and  teacher  is  devoted  to  her 
family  and  her  home.  Her  musical  work  so  far  has  been  chieliy  as  concert 
pianist,  in  recitals,  with  the  Symphony  Orchestras,  and  as  a  member  of  the 
Adamowski  Trio.  She  has  received  the  most  commendation  from  press  and 
public  as  an  interpreter  of  the  works  of  her  countryman,  Chopin. 

To  Alpha  Chi  Omega  she  is  ever  a  cordial  friend,  and  her  home  has 
been  the  scene  of  many  charming  hospitalities  extended  to  fraternity  girls 
living  in  and  near  Boston. 

Mme.  Helen  Hopekirk 

Of  attractive  and  picturesque  appearance,  and  equally  charming  manner, 
is  another  of  our  fraternity's  members — Mme.  Helen  Hopekirk,  who  as 
pianist,  composer,  and  teacher  has  won  great  distinction.  It  was  of  her  that 
Leschetizky  once  said :  "She  is  the  greatest  woman  musician  I  have  ever 
known,"  and  although  hers  is  a  nature  averse  to  publicity,  yet  the  rare  and 
distinctive  quality  of  her  work  has  forced  it  upon  her. 

She  is  a  native  of  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  and  although  that  country  has 
never  been  noted  for  its  output  of  genius  in  the  musical  line,  still  it  can  at 
least  claim  one  of  late  years. 

Mme.  Hopekirk  graduated  from  the  Leipzig  Conservatory  in  1879,  then 
concertized  for  some  years,  and  became  the  pupil  of  Leschetizky  from  1887  to 
1891.  She  is  now^  in  the  United  States  for  the  fourth  time,  and  to  the  delight 
of  the  people  of  Boston  and  Brookline  makes  her  home  there.  As  a  concert 
pianist  she  has  appeared  wdth  all  the  great  orchestras  of  America  and  Europe 
besides  many  piano  recitals.  As  a  composer,  besides  many  songs  of  great 
beauty,  perhaps  her  Concerto  and  Concertstiick  for  piano  and  orchestra  ^re 


Some  Faculty  Alpha  Chi  Omegas 


Second  rnirr°  "8ht-Ger  rude  Johnson,  K:    Mima  Montgomery,  Z;    Corinne  Blount.  \. 
TW.r  ,..       TtT  t''"  '^^'  ^  V    -^'""'3"'  ^-'"'«"-  ^:    Annie  May  Cooke,  Z. 
Third   low— Myrtle   Biissey,   M ;    lona   Peterman.   T;    Xell    Brushingham-Starr,    Z. 


316  The  Historv  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega 

most  noteworthy.  As  a  teacher  she  is  much  sought  after,  and  much  adored  by 
those  she  elects  to  become  her  pupils.  Her  musical  tastes  incline  toward  the 
works  of  the  modern  composers,  particularly  the  modern  French  school, 
Debussy  being  an  especial  favorite.  His  compositions  are  very  sympathetic  to 
a  nature  so  intrinsically  poetical  as  hers,  also  the  works  of  Macdowell,  which 
she  has  ever  been  a  pioneer  in  exploiting.  In  her  very  attractive  home  in 
Brookline  she  lives  the  quiet  but  intensely  busy  life  of  the  very  earnest  musi- 
cian. 

Mrs.  H.  H.  A.  Beach 

That  one  of  the  first  American  composers  of  note  should  be  a  woman  is  a 
significant  fact,  as  it  is  well  known  that  women  have  ventured  into  the  creative 
field  of  music  very  little.  But  it  is  as  a  composer  rather  than  performer  that 
Mrs.  Beach  has  achieved  the  widest  renown,  although  she  also  excels  in  the 
latter  art. 

Her  maiden  name  was  Amy  Marcy  Chenev,  and  she  was  born  in  Henniker, 
New  Hampshire,  in  1867,  her  ancestors  being  some  of  the  earliest  colonial 
settlers.  She  began  to  show  musical  tendencies  when  a  mere  baby,  and  when 
she  was  still  very  young,  her  parents  moved  to  Boston,  that  she  might  have 
an  education  in  keeping  witli  her  gifts.  When  sixteen  years  old  she  made 
her  first  public  appearance  in  Boston  as  a  pianist,  playing  the  Moscheles  G 
minor  Concerto.  Then  continued  a  round  of  appearances  with  all  of  the 
large  orchestras,  and  recitals  in  all  of  the  large  cities,  her  programs  later 
being  made  up  entirely  of  her  own  compositions.  In  1885  she  married  Dr. 
Beach,  who  was  also  well  known  in  his  own  sphere  of  activity,  and  their  mar- 
riage was  an  ideal  one  in  every  respect. 

Perhaps  her  songs  are  the  best  known  of  her  works.  They  have  had 
frequent  perfomiance  by  all  of  the  leading  singers,  and  her  setting  of  some  of 
the  Browning  poems  is  especially  popular.  She  has  also  composed  much  in 
the  larger  forms,  such  as  concertos,  suites,  and  other  orchestral  pieces,  and 
these  all  show  a  master  grasp  of  form,  and  a  genius  for  melodic  invention. 

After  a  sojourn  of  several  years  in  Munich,  Mrs.  Beach  returned  to 
America  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Great  War.  She  again  resides  in  Boston, 
where  in  its  exclusive  social  circles  she  is  much  sought,  and  in  its  musical 
sphere  she  is  a  leading  attraction.  There  she  appears  every  year  in  public  as 
a  pianist,  and  generally  in  a  program  made  up  for  most  part  of  her  ow^n 
compositions.  She  plays  with  the  Boston  Symphony  Orchestra,  and  in  the 
various  musical  centers  of  America  she  appears  in  recital. 

Margaret  Ruthven  Lang 

Another  woman  whose  success  has  been  won  chiefly  in  the  creative  side  of 
music,  and  also  a  resident  of  Boston,  is  Margaret  Ruthven  Lang,  a  musically 
gifted  daughter  of  musical  parents.  Her  father,  B.  J.  Lang,  was  long  a 
leading  factor  in  the  musical  life  of  Boston,  and  had  much  influence  in  shap- 
ing the  musical  growth  of  his  daughter.  Her  mother  was  a  good  singer, 
though  an  amateur. 

Margaret  Lang  began  the  study  of  the  pianoforte  under  one  of  her  father's 
pupils,    later   continuing   under    Mr.    Lang   himself.      She   studied,    too.    the 


PrOMINKN  r    ^^  KM  HERS 


317 


A'iolin  in  Boston  and  in  Munich,  and  also  composition  in  the  latter  place, 
later  taking  up  orchestration  in  this  country  with  Chadwick  and  Macdowell. 
She  began  writing  music  at  the  early  age  of  twelve  years,  and  lier  compo- 
sitions in  the  larger  forms  have  been 
unusuallv  successful.  The  Dramatic  Over- 
tarc  Opus  12  was  performed  by  the  Bos- 
ton Symi)hony  Orchestra  under  Nikisch 
given  in  Chicago  by  an  orchestra  of  one 
hundred  under  Theodore  Thomas  at  two 
concerts,  and  at  a  third  by  Bendix.  Both 
of  these  compositions  are  in  manuscript, 
and  also  a  third  overture,  Totila.  Other 
works  composed  later  for  orcliestra  include 
three  arias  all  of  -which  were  performed, 
and  other  of  her  pretentious  compositions 
are  a  cantata  for  chorus,  solos,  and  orches- 
tra, a  string  cjuartet.  and  several  composi- 
tions   for    violin    and    piano.      She    is    the 

composer  of  the  famous  Irish  Love  Soiiii. 

1  .  .1  r        •  1  .Makgauet    Rutiiven    Lano 

and   a   great   many   other   songs   of   wide- 

rspread  popularity.     It  is  through  these  songs,  perhaps,  that  she  is  best  known. 


Mme.  Alls  dcr  OIic 

Madame  Aus  der  Ohc.  the  distinguished  Oerman  pianist,  is.  at  })resent, 
in  Berlin.  In  1915  the  invitation  was  extended  to  her  to  play  on  the 
program  of  the  Convention  Musicale.  The  reply  to  the  invitation  is  the  most 
recent  communication  which  the  Fraternity  has  received  from  her : 

Alpha  Chi  Omega  was  so  kind  to  send  me  an  invitation  to  take  part  in 
the  musical  jirogram  of  the  Convention  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  to  be  held 
at   Long  Beach,  California,  June  28  to  July  2  of  the  present  year. 

It  would  give  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  take  part  in  this  jirogram  and 
to  come  for  this  purpose  to  California.  But  it  will  not  be  possible,  I  am  very 
sorry  to  say,  as  the  imsafety  of  the  sea  at  the  present  war-time  makes  it  unfor- 
tunately impossible  and  too  dangerous  to  cross  the  ocean  at  present.  I  send 
to  Alpha  Chi  Omega  my  best  wishes  and  cordial  greetings,  hoping  that  I 
may  be  present  and  play  at  a  later  meeting. 

With  best  love  to  all  members  who  remember  me,  I   am, 

\'ery  cordially  yours, 

Adele  Aus  DER  Ohe. 


Mmc.  Ellen  Heach  Yau' 
To  the  Alpha  Chi  Omegas  in  California  Ellen  Beach  Yaw  is  well  known, 
indeed.  Her  estate  at  Covina,  just  outside  of  Los  Angeles,  has  been  the 
setting  for  many  delightful  hours  for  them.  All  who  w^ere  at  Convention 
in  1915  were  favored  with  meeting  both  Madame  Vaw  and  Madame  Beach. 
The  writer  will  never  forget  a  happy  afternoon  at  Lake  Ellen  Ranch.  "On 
all  sides  orange  groves,  perfuming  the  air  with  fragrance,  stretched  as  far 
.as   the   eye   could   reach   until    stopped    by    the    ]>uri)le   chain    of   the    Sierra 


318 


TiiK  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraterxity 


Ellen  Beach  Yaw 


Madres."  Thus  Miss  Olmstead  \vrote  of  Miss  Ya\v's  home  in  The  Lyre  of 
July,  1912.  Her  cordiality  and  hospitality  are  exquisite.  And  we  cannot 
wonder,  when  we  see  the  wonderful  beauty  of  her  home  among  orange  trees 
and  roses,  that  her  life  is  a  quiet,  retired  one.  The 
following  excerpt  from  a  letter  from  Madame  Yaw 
giYes  an  insight  into  her  altruistic  and  personal 
preoccupations : 

"I  never  know  what  to  say  when  people  ask  me 
about  Ellen  Beach  Yaw.  I  could  tell  you  about 
the  ranch  or  my  hill  in  which  I  am  so  interested.  1 
do  not  think  there  is  any  one  living  who  enjoys 
the  country  more  than  I  do.  I  do  not  care  for  the 
social  life  of  the  cities.  I  am  interested  in  the  boys 
at  the  Lark  Ellen  Home  and  enjoy  my  little  visits 
there  very  much. 

"Have  pleasant  remembrances  of  the  ten  years- 
I  spent  in  Europe  and  of  my  different  teachers  and 
friends.  Dear  Lady  Meux  who  has  now  passed 
away  was  a  fairy  godmother  to  me.  I  spent  all  my 
vacations  at  Theobalds  Park,  one  of  her  beautiful 
estates.  I  think  she  was  the  most  generous  woman 
I  ever  knew.  She  gave  me  most  of  my  musical 
education.  I  enjoyed  my  grand  opera  experience 
in  Europe,  but  I  never  loved  anvthing  so  much  as 
being  at  home  in  California  with  the  flowers  and  the  birds  and  the  climate. 
*  *  My  favorite  song  is  The  Sky  Lark  which  I  wrote  myself.  It  has 
never  been  published  and  is  the  highest  song  ever  written.  I  would  like 
to  say  that  high  tones  have  their  place  in  music  just  as  much  as  low^  tones." 
Miss  Yaw  has  written  several  songs  and  poems.  Her  song,  California, 
is  much  loved.  Her  days  are  filled  with  charitable  deeds  and  with  sharing 
her  artistic  gifts. 

Of  Miss  Yaw's  singing  in  her  home  to  guests  Miss  Olmstead  wrote,  "Sud- 
denly a  wonderful  bird  began  to  sing.  Longer  and  sweeter  grew  the  trills, 
now  soft,  now  crescendo,  followed  bY  silvery  turns,  scales,  and  cadenza  as 
pure  and  perfect  as  a  string  of  pearls.  Higher  and  higher  swelled  the 
music,  overpowering  in  its  sweetness  until  finally  it  ended  in  a  rainbow 
cascade  of  surpassing  beauty.     *     *" 

"It  is  true,  is  it  not,"  Miss  Olmstead  queried,  "that  you  have  the  greatest 
range  of  any  living  singer?" 

"Yes,"  replied  Miss  Yaw,  "and  I  discovered  it  in  such  a  funny  way.  One 
day  I  was  practicing  and  mv  upper  tones  came  so  easily  I  thought  I  would. 
see  where  they  w-ere.  So  I  walked  over  to  the  piano  and  found  I  had  sung 
an  octave  above  high  C  I  I  studied  in  New^  York  with  Mme.  Torpadie  and 
in  Paris  I  worked  under  Marchesi.  One  day  while  studying  in  New  York 
I  sang  at  a  recital,  and  a  critic  on  the  ^ e-n:  York  Herald  heard  me,  was  so 
impressed   with   my   phenomenal   range,   and   made   so   much    ado   about   my 


Prominent  Members  31*> 

singing  that  the  next  thing  I  knew  I  was  studying  abroad.     I  made  my  French 
operatic  debut  at  Nice  in  Hamlet  and  my  Italian  del)ut  at  Rome  in  Lucia. 

Mme.  Yaw  was  born  in  New  York,  but  has  been  for  more  than  twenty 
years  a  Californian. 

Marian  X evi ns-Mac dowc/l 

Born  in  New  York  of  good  American  ancestry,  Marian  Nevins-Macdowell 
first  evinced  her  rare  musical  gifts  as  a  very  young  child.  Later  at  the 
age  of  eleven,  she  commenced  thorough  systematic  study  with  her  aunt,  Mrs. 
Roger  Perkins,  of  Camden,  S.  C.  who  had  come  North  to  live,  following 
the  vicissitudes  consequent  upon  the  Civil  War. 

Mrs.  Perkins  was  an  excellent  musician  and  gave  her  niece  the  hue  foun- 
dation for  her  later  work  in  Europe  where  she  journeyed  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  for  the  specific  purpose  of  studying  with  Clara  Schumann.  Arrived 
at  Frankfurt,  she  learned  that  a  year  of  advanced  preparation  with  one  of 
the  daughters  was  required  from  all  alike,  before  being  admitted  to  Frau 
Schumann's  classes. 

Being  of  a  practical  turn  of  mind  she  could  see  no  value  in  that  for 
herself,  so  acting  upon  the  advice  of  Joachim  Ratf,  with  whom  young  Edward 
Macdowell  was  then  studying  composition,  she  decided  to  take  up  further 
preparation  with  this  American  teacher. 

The  subjoined  facsimile  letter  of  Mr.  Macdowell  written  in  reply  to  some 
American  friend's  questioning  the  practicability  of  Miss  Nevins'  lengthy 
sojourn  abroad,  explains  one  of  the  serio-comic  incidents  of  their  student 
life. 

TUESDAY 
a4 ^-y^  ^^.-^  >>'^^f  ^yA/-^ 

7/u/,    7/f.  Tut^f^'  ' ^^,^^ra^  ryUA/'-^  '"^ 

jCcv—     ^y    ^Z/x   //fLc^m,/  /'"    '/»// 1/    /i /r  <•/••<•  .^  /, 


320  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Thus  was  established  that  close  relationship  of  apt  pupil  and  earnest 
teacher  during  a  period  of  four  years,  when  the  time  arrived  for  Miss 
Nevin's  return  home.  Only  then  did  both  come  into  the  conscious  realization 
of  what  the  mutuality  of  ideals  and  ideas  had  meant  to  them.  Their 
marriage  followed  a  year  later,  upon  Mr.  Macdowell's  return  to  this  country. 

Thus,  though  amply  prepared  for  a  brilliant  concert  career,  Mrs.  Mac- 
■dowell  decided,  much  against  her  husband's  wishes,  to  subordinate  her 
own  plans  in  order  to  give  an  undivided  attention  to  Mr.  Macdowell, 
arguing  that  the  fostering  of  a  great  creative  gift  was  an  infinitely  higher 
mission  for  her,  than  interpreting  the  works  of  others. 

But  the  priceless  heritage  has  remained  hers  none  the  less,  since,  as 
•exponent  of  the  Macdowell  works,  she  stands  unique  and  alone  in  the 
musical  world  today.  After  the  death  of  Macdowell,  as  all  the  artistic 
world  knows,  the  Macdowell  Memorial  Association,  to  which  Macdowell 
had  deeded  his  New  Hampshire  estate,  established  the  artists'  colony  for 
which  the  composer  had  hoped.  With  faint  faith  in  what  seemed  but 
a  poet's  dream  the  financially  endowed  Americans  contributed  slowly  and 
charily  of  their  means.  Since  the  colony  could  not  be  self-supporting  in 
the  nature  of  the  case,  Mrs.  Macdowell  bravely  rallied  her  frail  physical 
powers  and  went  en  tour.  No  one  was  so  well  fitted  to  interpret  Mac- 
dowell's music  as  she,  and  the  country  was  eager  to  hear  her.  In  her  recital 
she  told  of  Macdowell's  Log  Cabin  Studio, 

"A  House  of  Dreams  Untold 
It  looks  out  over  the  whispering  treetops 
And   faces   the  setting  sun." 

And  she  related  how  the  quiet  and  solitude  of  his  forest  workshop  inspired 
the  greatest  of  his  compositions.  She  told  of  his  yearning  to  share  this  ideal 
spot  with  other  creative  workers,  and  of  the  needs  of  the  Colony.  The  annual 
deficit  of  the  Colony  Mrs.  Macdowell  has  met  by  the  returns  from  her  recitals. 
Fifteen  thousand  dollars  has  been  turned  over  to  the  Association  from  this 
source.  Her  work  is  heroic  since  Mrs.  Macdowell  is  an  invalid.  The  Colony 
should  have  adequate  endowment.  Many  Alpha  Chis  have  helped  to  create 
enthusiastic  interest  in  Mrs.  Macdowell's  work,  and  she  speaks  of  their 
cooperation  with  gratitude. 

College  professors  and  instructors  are  numerous  among  the  alumnae  of 
Alpha  Chi  Omega.  Two  of  the  founders  led  the  way  in  this  field :  Estelle 
Leonard  was  principal  of  the  Music  Department  of  Moore's  Hill  College, 
1889-1893,  and  in  1894  held  the  same  position  at  Centenary  College;  Anna 
Allen  Smith  was  instructor  in  pianoforte  1891-1897  at  De  Pauw  University. 
Other  members  of  Alpha  Chapter  who  have  been  on  the  faculty  of  the  De 
Pauw  Music  School  are  the  following:  Aldah  Victoria  McCoy  (pianoforte) 
1907-1913;  Ella  G.  Earp  (associate  member),  Instructor  in  Pianoforte, 
1886;  Orra  P.  John  (associate  member).  Instructor  in  Pianoforte,  1886- 
1891;  Lena  Eva  Alden  (associate  member).  Instructor  in  Pianoforte,  1891  ; 
Alice  Wentworth  McGregor   (associate  member),  Instructor  in  Voice,   1891  : 


Prominent  Members  321 

Anna  Dahl  Dixon  (associate  member).  Instructor  in  Voice,  1893;  Gertrude 
French.  Instructor  upon  Harp.  1893;  Mary  Janet  Wilson,  Instructor  in 
Harmony,  1893-1910,  and  Librarian  of  Sheet  Music,  1893-1916;  Mildred 
Rutledge,  Instructor  in  Pianoforte  (Kindergarten  work),  1907-1916; 
Marie  Wood  Rush,  Assistant  in  Pianoforte,  1907;  Jessie  Guild  Keep,  Assis- 
tant in  Pianoforte,  1900-1902;  Verinda  Rainier.  Assistant  in  Voice,  1907; 
Ethel  Clark,  Instructor  in  Art  School,   1907. 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  Wilhite,  Alpha,  was  a  pupil  of  Dean  Howe's  at  De  Pauw. 
She  was  principal  of  the  Music  Department  of  Central  Normal  College, 
Danville.  Indiana,  for  some  time,  but  her  health  did  not  permit  her  to  keep 
on  with  the  work.  She  had  a  large  private  class  in  Danville  for  some  time, 
until  she  moved  to  Indianapolis,  in  1913.  She  now  has  a  studio  in  Indian- 
apolis and  teaches  piano  to  a  large  number  of  pupils.  Mrs.  Wilhite  is  the 
organist  of  the  Broadway  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Among  Beta  Chapter  alumnae  are  five  college  teachers.  Alta  Allen 
Loud  graduated  from  Albion  College  both  from  the  Liberal  Arts  Depart- 
ment and  the  Music  School.  From  1898-1903  she  was  teacher  of  Greek  at 
Albion  College.  She  was  then  married  to  Edward  Reed  Loud,  Delta  Tau 
Delta.  Her  life  has  been  a  full  one.  for  she  has  served  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
for  many  years  with  consecration  and  energy.  She  was  National  Secretary' 
1897-1899,  and  National  President  1906-1910,  1912  to  date.  She  has  been 
the  moulding  power  in  Alpha  Chi  ( )mega  throughout  the  period  covered 
since  the  publication  of  the  first  Edition  of  the  History  of  Alpha  Chi 
Omega.  Much  of  the  extraordinary  progress  made  in  that  time  has  been 
due  to  her  wisdom  and  ability.  This  book,  therefore,  has  been  dedicated 
most  appropriately  to  her.  It  is  impossible,  in  a  few  words,  to  describe  the 
labor  and  the  skill  with  which  Mrs.  Loud  has  served  as  administrative  officer 
of  the  Fraternity.  The  present  condition  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  and  the  love 
which  the  organization  bears  her  are  her  "monument"  far  more  expressive 
than  words.  An  outline  of  her  activity  shows  the  breadth  of  her  interests. 
(From  Leading  Greeks)  :  She  has  "contributed  to  Lyre:  Editorial  Board. 
History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  wrote  introduction;  delegate  to  National 
Convention  of  1897  at  De  Pauw;  originator  of  present  council  system; 
Chairman  Coat-of-arms  Committee  ;  Chairman  Endowment  Fund  Committee  ; 
Delegate  to  National  Presidents'  Conference  of  1911;  Chicago  (ireek  Con- 
ference of  May.  1913;  teacher  of  Greek  and  German  at  Albion  College. 
1898-1903;  member  of  Eastern  Star,  Albion  E.  L.  T.  Club;  president  Albion 
Review  Club  ;  vice-regent  Chapter  of  Daughters  of  American   Revolution." 

Mrs.  Myrtle  Hatswell-Bowman  is  a  member  of  the  faculty  of  the  North- 
western School  of  Music  in  Evanston,  Illinois.  She  gives  instruction  in  voice. 
She^  is  particularly  efficient  in  the  singing  and  teaching  of  bird  songs.  She 
has  served  the  Fraternity  in  national  work  besides  being  alumna  adviser  for 
Gamma.  She  served  as  Province  President  of  the  Eastern  Province,  and 
assisted  in. the  installation  of  Upsilon  Chapter  at  James  Millikin  University. 
Decatur.  Illinois.  She  is  a  meml)er  of  Aloha  .\lpha  .'Mumniv  Chapter  at 
Chicago. 


322  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Mrs.  Martha  Reynolds  Colby  has  studied  under  eminent  musicians  in 
the  United  States  and  under  Herr  Hilf  of  the  Leipzig  Conservatory  in 
Germany.  She  was  for  many  years  the  head  of  the  stringed  instrument 
department  in  the  Albion  College  Conservatory,  and  also  spent  a  number 
of  seasons  in  concert  tour.  She  organized  and  trained  the  Colby  String 
Quartet  of  Albion  College.  Her  daughter,  Martha,  was  the  first  daughter 
of  a  Beta  girl  to  be  initiated  into  this  chapter.  Martha  graduated  from 
Albion  Conservatory  in  1915,  and  is  now  attending  the  New  England  Con- 
servatory of  Music  in  Boston. 

Miss  Jennie  Worthington,  one  of  Beta's  charter  members  and  for  several 
years  her  alumna  adviser,  was  a  member  of  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Quartet 
which  did  concert  work.  The  other  members  were  Cora  Travis,  Marion 
Howlett  Garfield,  and  Jean  Whitcomb  Fenn.  Miss  Worthington  graduated 
from  both  Albion  and  Boston  Conservatories.  She  also  studied  Public 
School  Music  in  Detroit  and  Chicago.  For  eleven  years  she  taught  piano  and 
harmony  in  the  Albion  Conservatory.  She  served  as  organist  and  choir 
director  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  about  fifteen  years.  She  introduced 
music  into  the  public  schools  of  Albion  and  has  been  their  onlv  supervisor. 
The  high  school  annually  puts  on  some  heavy  number  or  cantata. 

Harriet  F.  Reynolds  of  Horton,  Michigan,  completed  the  course  in  piano 
at  Albion  College  and  then  studied  in  Boston ;  she  then  became  a  member  of 
the  Albion  College  Conservatory  faculty.  Mrs.  Clarissa  Dickie  Stewart,  of 
Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  the  daughter  of  President  Dickie  of  Albion  College, 
graduated  from  Albion  Conservatory,  and  spent  several  years  in  advanced 
study  at  Detroit,  Chicago,  and  New  York.  She  later  became  an  instructor  in 
piano  at  Albion  College  Conservatory.  She  is  well  known  in  Battle-  Creek 
as  a  pianist  and  accompanist. 

Gamma's  alumnse  to  the  numl)er  of  seven  have  taught  at  Northwestern 
University :  Sadie  Knowland  Coe,  Instructor  in  Piano ;  Eleanor  Kirkham. 
Instructor  in  Voice,  1904;  Mabel  Dunn  Madson,  Instructor  in  Piano,  1901- 
1903;  Grace  Ericson,  Instructor  in  Piano;  Myrta  McKean  Dennis,  Instruc- 
tor in  Piano,  1905-1909  ;  Hedwig  Brenneman,  Instructor  in  Voice,  1908-1915  ; 
Mae  Smith,  Instructor  in  Piano,  1909. 

Mabel  Harriet  Siller  Nafis  held,  for  a  number  of  years,  the  position  of 
Assistant  Registrar,  College  of  Engineering,  1909-1913.  Mrs.  Nafis'  frater- 
nity work  has  been  extensive.  She  was  a  member  of  the  National  Council 
as  Secretary  1900-1902,  and  as  Historian,  1905-1911.  At  the  end  of  her 
work  as  Historian  there  appeared  the  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  written 
by  her,  the  second,  we  believe,  of  such  volumes  to  be  published  by  women's 
fraternities. 

Mrs.  Nafis'  ivork  M-as  much  wider,  however,  than  either  of  her  national 
offices  denote.  Only  by  reading  carefully  the  full  minutes  of  the  national 
organization  can  one  understand  the  scope  of  her  service.  She  was  Alpha  Chi 
Omega's  first  delegate  to  the  National  Panhellenic  Conferences  (1903)  ;  she 
installed  three  chapters  of  the  Fraternity,  Nu  (1907),  Xi  (1907),  and  Pi 
(1909).     She  has  served  on  the  standing  committees,  the  Alumnae  Committee, 


Prominkx  i-  Mkmukrs 


323 


the  Panhcllenic  Committee,  and,  in  an  advisory  relation,  on  the  Editorial 
Board  of  the  new  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega ;  and  has  served  on  twenty-five 
committees  appointed  by  the  National  President  to  1910.  Such  a  volume  of 
earnest  work  has  made  .Mrs.  Nafis  an  important  figure  in  the  history  of 
Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

Five  of  Delta's  alumn;i?  are  among  the  facult\-  members: 

In  the  fall  of  1915  after  ?. 
period  spent  in  further  study  of 
French  at  Columbia  Summer 
School.  Louise  Chase  of  Green- 
ville, Pennsyhain'a.  was  elected  to 
the  position  of  instructor  of 
French  at  Allegheny  College  ixnm 
which  she  graduated  in  1908.  She 
was  also  on  the  facultv  of  the 
Pennsylvania  College  of  Music 
during  the  school  year  1914-15  as 
teacher  of  Violin. 

Theo  White  Jacobi,  '98  :  Mrs. 
Jacobi  is  a  violinist  of  merit  and 
has  done  much  concert  work.  Her 
home  was  in  Rochester  but  she  is 
now  teaching  in  Elmira  College, 
Elmira,  N.  Y. 

Jessie  Merchant  Reynolds,  '93  : 
A  wearer  of  $  B  K  badge  is  Mrs. 
Reynolds.  Not  only  in  this  did  she 
bring  honor  to  Delta  but  also  in 
her  position  as  instructor  in  French 
at  Allegheny  soon  after  she  gradu- 
ated there.  As  the  wife  of  the  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Church  of  (iovans, 
Maryland,  and  as  the  mother  of  two  wide-awake  dear  little  children,  Baxter 
and  Jean,  she  finds  her  time  strenuously  occupied. 

Mrs.  Juvia  O.  Hull,  '91  :  Delta's  first  honorary  member,  Mrs.  Hull, 
was  at  the  time  of  her  initiation  the  Director  of  the  Conservatory  of  Music. 
Ever  since  she  has  been  in  Meadville  she  has  been  prominent  in  the  musical 
life  of  the  town,  having  been  for  years  choir  director  of  the  Christ  Epis- 
copalian Church  of  Meadville  and  leader  of  the  Oratorio  Society. 

Mary  Pinney,  '92  :  After  teaching  piano  several  years  in  the  Meadville 
Conservatory  of  Music,  Miss  Pinney  left  in  the  spring  of  1893  to  try  her 
lot  in  New  York  City.  There  she  became  engaged  as  organist  of  the  First 
Church  of  Scientists.  She  is  a  fine  musician  and  was  a  very  popular  teacher, 
hut  after  a  short  period  of  teaching  in  New  York,  gave  it  up  for  accompanying 
and  organ  work  which  she  much  preferred.      It  is  interesting  to  note  that  Miss 


Louise  Chase,  Delta 

Teacher   of   French    and    N'iolin 
Delta   History   Committee 


Prominent  Mi;mi?i:rs 


325 


Pinney  lived  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Augusta  Stetson  in  the  house  of  the  "Golden 
Staircase." 

Epsilon  Chapter  has  been  fortunate  in  having  several  members  on  the 
faculty  of  the  music  school  of  the  university.  Mi.ss  Carrie  Adelaide  Trow- 
bridge is  a  niember  of  the  faculty  of  the  College  of  Music  of  the  University 
of  Southern  California,  and  has  charge  of  the  Normal  Training  Course  for 
})iano  teachers.  Her  concert  work  as  accompanist  and  pianist  has  also  won 
her  much  recognition,  and  her  success  as  a  teacher  has  been  of  a  decidedly 
sul)stantial  character,  for  not  a  few  of  her  pupils  have  become  successful 
teachers  and  soloists.  She  has  charge  of  ilie  l)ranch  of  the  College  of  Music 
at  Anaheim. 

Epsilon  pupils  of  Miss  Trowljridge's  are  engaged  in  professional  work. 
Miss  Jane  Stanley,  who  graduated  from  the  University  of  Southern  Califor- 
nia, is  a  member  of  the  faculty  of  a  branch  of  the  College  of  Music  at  Ana- 
heim. Miss  Esther  Davidson  is  a  teaclier  of  piano  of  the  University,  as  well 
as  a  well-known  accompanist. 

Lillian  Arnett,  1905,  and  Isabelle  Curl,  1907,  taught  music  in  the  Uni- 
versity;  Doris  Coomber  is  teaching  history  in  the  Liberal   Arts   Department. 

Zeta  has  numerous  alumnae  on  college 
faculties.  AUss  Blanche  Brocklebank  has 
been  teaching  piano  at  Wellesley  since  1912. 
Miss  Mima  Montgomery  holds  a  similar 
position  in  the  teaching  of  voice.  Miss 
Brocklebank  graduated  from  the  New 
England  Conservatory  in  1912  as  a  soloist 
in  the  Piano  Department.  She  has  been, 
since  that  year,  a  member  of  Zeta  Zeta 
Alumuic  Chapter.  She  is  also  an  assis- 
tant teacher  of  George  Proctor  at  the  New 
England  Conservatory  of  Music.  She  has 
been  Zeta's  alumna  adviser  and  is  custodian 
of  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  songbook. 

Evangeline  Bridge  Stevenson  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  was  an  instructor  in  the  New 
England  Conservatory.  She  is  distin- 
guished in  Alpha  Chi  Omega  for  her  service 
as  National  President  1910-1912.     She  has 

been  a  mem])er  of  Zeta  Zeta  Chapter  since  1909,  and  served  as  delegate 
to  Convention  in  1908  from  Zeta,  as  delegate  for  Zeta  Zeta  in  1912.  She 
graduated  from  New  England  Conservatory  in  the  Piano  Department  as 
soloist.     She  was  a  pupil  of  the  famous  Carl   Baermann. 

Alma  Marti  Olsen  served  on  the  faculty  at  Washburn  College  (Kansas). 
She  graduated  in  piano  at  the  New  England  Conservatory  in   1905. 

Blanche  Crafts  Kaiser,  teacher  and  soloist  in  violin,  taught  in  Wesleyan 
College,  Macon,  Georgia,  and  later  at  Acadia  Seminary,  Wolfvillc.  North 
Carolina,  and  at  St.  Mary's,  Raleigh,  North  Carolina.     She  became  concert 


Blanche  F.  Bkocki.kh ank,  Zeta 


326 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


mistress  of  the  New  England  Conservatory  Orchestra,  and  served  on  tht 
faculty  of  New  England  Conservatory  in  1906-7.  She  went  to  Meadville  to 
National  Convention  as  delegate  in  1904.  While  a  student  she  won  the 
Trustees'  Scholarship. 

Winifred  Byrd  was  in- 
structor in  Olivet  College, 
Olivet,  Michigan.  She  gradu- 
ated from  New  England 
Conservatory  in  1905  as 
piano  soloist,  winning,  dur- 
ing her  study  there,  the 
Spaulding  Scholarship.  She 
was  Zeta's  delegate  to  Con- 
vention in  1906.  She  has 
twice  returned  to  Boston  to 
study  with  Madame  Hope- 
kirk,  and  was  then  a  member 
of  Zeta  Zeta  Chapter.  She 
studied  also  with  Carl  Baer- 
mann,  and  with  Madame 
Theresa  Carreno.  She  is  at 
present  in  concert  work  in 
New  York. 

Annie  May  Cook  was  in- 
structor in  the  New  Eng- 
land Conservatory  1909- 
1910.  Since  that  time  she 
has  done  private  teaching.  She  served  Zeta  Chapter  as  alumna  adviser 
1911-1915.  She  is  known  to  many  because  of  her  representation  of  Zeta 
Chapter  at  the  Detroit  Convention,  and  her  attendance  at  the  Long  Beach 
Convention. 

Olive  Cutter  graduated  from  the  Violin  Department  of  New  England 
Conservatory  and  served  as  instructor  of  violin  in  that  institution.  She  is 
a  member  of  Zeta  Zeta,  and  was  present  at  the  Long  Beach  Convention. 
She  made  the  exquisite  design  for  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Calendar  for  1916. 

Josephine  Freeman  Haley  taught  at  Western  Union  College,  Le  Mars, 
Iowa,  1907-8.  She  graduated  from  New  England  Conservatory  in  1906 
as  a  teacher  and  soloist  of  the  piano. 

In  Winston-Salem,  North  Carolina,  a  very  interesting  work  is  being 
done  by  Nell  Brushingham  Starr,  mezzo-contralto.  Subsequent  to  her  direc- 
tion of  the  vocal  school  in  Salem  College,  the  historic  old  Moravian  institu- 
tion which  has  been  identified  for  generations  with  the  best  in  music,  Mrs. 
Starr  has  continued  her  residence  in  Winston-Salem,  and  confined  her  concert 
work  to  the  South. 


Winifred  Byrd,  Zeta 


Prominkx  r  Mi:.\iiiKRs  327 

In  'I'licta  Chapter  have  been  the  foHowiiig  instructors  in  tlie  Sciiool  of 
Music : 

Virginia  Fiske,   Instructor   in   Piano. 

Maude  Kleyn,   Instructor  in   Voice  Culture. 

Florence  Potter,  Head  of  Public  School  Music,   1909-1910. 

Frances  Hamilton.    InslriKior  in    Piano. 

Leonora  Allen,   Instructor  in   \'oice  Culture. 

Members  on  Faculty  in  the  history  oi"  lota  Chajjter  are: 
Eunice  Dean  Daniels.  Dean  of  Women,  1905  and  1906.  and  Instructor  in 
Music  School,  1909. 

Susan  Reed,   Ph.D.,   Instructor  in    History    1  )ei)artment.    1908-1910. 

Mary  Breneman,   Instructor  in   Music   School,    1902. 

Mary  Creene,  Instructor  in  Music  School,  1907. 

Florence   Kirkup,   Instructor   in    Music   School,    1909-1915. 

Alison  Marion  Fernie,  Instructor  in  Music  School,  1899. 

Mary  Allinson.  As.sistant  in   Library. 

Elizabeth  Bryan,  Librarian  of  the  University  Liljrary,  1912  to  date. 

Stella  Galpin,  Librarian  of  the  I'niversity  Library.  1914  to  date. 

Ola  Wyeth,  Librarian  of  the  I'niversity  Library,   1906  to  date. 

Rachel  Baumgartner.  Assistant  in  Zoology.   1914-1916. 

Members  of  Kappa  Chapter  on  the  faculty  at  University  of  Wisconsin 
during  the  history  of  the  c  hapter  are : 

Alice  Regan,  Instructor  in  Piano. 

Margaret  H'Doubler.  Assistant  in  Physical  Training  Department. 

Gertrude  Johnson,  Head  of  the  Department  of  Public  Speaking. 

Ruth  Morris,  Assistant  in  Physical  Training. 

Mary  Sayle,  Assistant  in  Biology. 

Russell  MacMurphy  Chase  was.  for  some  time.  Instructor  in  Piano  at 
the  University  of  Wisconsin.  She  is  now  Director  of  the  Macdowell  Club 
Music  School.  Derry,  New  Hamjjsliire.  She  holds  the  position  of  lecturer, 
also,  in  the  school  and  gives  piaini  talks  on  "Music  in  the  Home,"  "Myths 
and  Dances  in  Music,"  Wagner's  "Flying  Dutchman,"  "Lohengrin,"  "Mas- 
tersingers,"  "\'alkyrie  and  Siegfried,"  and  "Macdowell  Pageant." 

These  piano  talks  have  been  given  in  Concord,  Manchester.  Nashua. 
Dover,  Rochester,  Laconia,  Tilton.  Somersworth,  Penacook.  Contoocook, 
Newmarket.  Farmington,  Derry,  New  Hampshire,  and  many  places  through- 
out the  United  States,  including  Chicago  and  the  Universities  of  Wisconsin 
and  West  Virginia.  Mrs.  Chase  is  State  President  of  the  National  Federation 
of  Musical  Clul)s.  and  is  Chairman,  as  well,  of  the  State  Music  Committee 
of  New  Hamjishire  F\'deration  of  Women's  Clubs.     Of  her  work  slie  writes: 

"I  started  my  school  in  Derry  through  the  request  of  one  friend  to  give 
her  lessons,  and  you  can  see  by  the  enclosed  circulars  to  what  size  we  have 


328  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraterxitv 

grown.  I  have  discovered  right  here  in  Derry  as  much  talent  as  I  have  ever 
found  in  mv  teaching.  This  year  I  hope  to  accomplish  something  in  this 
State  by  the  cooperation  of  the  Women's  Clubs  and  the  National  Federation 
of  Music  Clubs,  as  I  am  Chairman  of  the  State  Music  Committee  of  the 
former  and  State  President  of  the  latter." 

Eight  Lambda  Chapter  members  have  served  as  instructors  at  Syracuse 
University : 

Marjorie   Rose  Wall,   Latin   Department. 
Mary  Emma  Griffith,   English   Department. 
Grace  Aline  Young,  German  Department. 
Alice  Mickelson,  Geology  Department. 
Flora  Anna  Kaufhald,  German  Department. 
Imo  W.  Toms,  German  Department. 
Georgiana  Pearson,   Botany  Department. 
•    Ruth  H'oople,   History   Department. 

Mu  Chapter  has  a  splendid  array  of  faculty  members  including  two  deans 
of  women,  a  physical  director,  and  a  professor  of  French.     They  are: 

Effie  Silliman,  Professor  of  Public  School  Music,  l9Cl6-\3. 

Mrs.  June  Hamilton  Rhodes,  Director  of  Physical  Education  for  Women^ 
1912;   Dean  of  Women,    1914-1915. 

Alice  Barrows,   Instructor  in  Piano,    1903-1905,    1908. 

Myrtle  Bussey,  Instructor  in  Piano,  1905-08. 

Nellaby  Finney,  Instructor  in  A'^oice,   1915-1916. 

Lora>Hagler,  Instructor  in  English,  1903-08;  Dean  of  Women  and  Prin- 
cipal of  Academy,   1908-11. 

Nell  E.  Harris,  Secretary  of  Conservatory  Faculty,  1906  to  date. 

Florence  Hier,  Professor  of  French  Language  and  Literature,  1914-16. 

Regna  King,  Secretary  to  President,   19 16-. 

Carrie  McBride,  Instructor  in  Voice,   1910-11. 

Florence  A.  Armstrong,  Instructor  in  English  at  Lowa  State  College, 
1908-10. 

Both  Miss  Barrows  and  Miss  Bussey  have  opened  schools  of  their  own. 
Miss  Hagler  has  become  a  religious  work  director  in  a  city  Y.  W.  C.  A. 
Miss  Hier  taught  French  at  Simpson  College,  1914-16,  where  she  was  ini- 
tiated into  Alpha  Chi  Omega.  She  then  resigned  her  position  at  Simpson 
to  accept  an  instructorship  at  the  University  of  Iowa.  Miss  Hier  graduated 
from  Mt.  Holyoke  in  1910,  and  studied  at  the  University  of  Paris  1912-13. 

Kathryn  Vollmer,  Mu,  is  Director  of  Music  Department  in  State  Normal 
College,  Albion,  Idaho,  and  Mabel  Felt  is  teacher  of  piano  in  Hiram  College, 
Ohio. 

Vera  Upton,  of  Xi  Chapter,  graduated  from  the  University  of  Nebraska 
Conservatory  in  1904  under  Howard  Kirkpatrick.  She  studied  in  New 
York  under  Oscar  Saenger  and  John  Dennis  Mehan.  She  studied  in  Chicago 
under  Carlton   Hackett.     She  is  now  voice  instructor  in  the   Conservatory 


June    Hamilton    Rhodes,    Mu 

Physical    Director,   Simpson    College,    19  K 
Dean    of    Women,    1914-1915 


Kathryn   Voi.i.mer,  Mu 

Instructor  in  Piano,  State  Normal  College. 
Albion,    lilalio 


330  The  Hisiorv  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

in    Lincoln    and    soloist    in    the    Christian    Science    Church    and    the    Greek 
Synagogue. 

Miriam  Little,  Xi,  is  a  teacher  of  the  cello  in  the  University  Conservatory 
of  Music. 

The  following  alumna^  of  Omicron  Chapter  have  served  on  the  faculty 
of  Baker  University : 

Birdean  Motter  Ely,  Instructor  in  Fine  Arts. 

Eula  Smith,  Listructor  in  Voice. 

Helen  Mayer,   l^ean  of  Violin  in  Conservatory  of  Music. 

Leona  Young  is  Pi's  one  faculty  member.  She  is  at  present  teaching  in 
the  Department  of  Chemistry  at  the  University  of  California. 

At  University  of  Washington,  Edith  Hindman,  Rho,  is  Instructor  in 
Pharmacy. 

Norma  Harrison  Thrower.  Sigma,  Director  for  the  Regent  Photo  Film 
Co.,  had  charge  of  the  Public  Speaking  at  the  University  of  Iowa  1910-1914. 
She  graduated  and  did  postgraduate  work  at  Cumnock.  Her  work  since  her 
teaching  at  the  University  of  Iowa  is  full  of  interest,  and  is  well  described 
in  her  own  w-ords  from  a  letter  to  the  author. 

"After  four  vears  at  S.  11.  I.  when  I  felt  I  must  have  a  change,  I  found 
myself  planning  a  little  recital  tour,  which  would  take  me  back  through 
Iowa  again  the  following  winter.  While  there  I  staged  and  played  Iphigenia 
in  Iphigenia  in  Aitlis  for  The  Iowa  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs  which 
convened  in  Iowa  City.  We  afterwards  gave  it  in  the  City  Park  at  com- 
mencement time  and  invited  everyone  from  far  and  wide  to  come  and 
sit  on  the  hillside.     Again  it  was  a  success. 

"I  came  back  to  Cleveland  after  that,  and  Avas  married.  Though  I  had 
a  husband  and  household  to  plan  for,  I  managed  to  read  considerably  in 
Cleveland.  During  the  M'inter  I  gathered  sixty  children  together,  and  in 
June  we  gave  three  performances  of  the  Winthrop  Ames  version  of  Snow 
JJ'/iife  and  the  Seven  Dwarfs.  I  wish  you  might  have  seen  it,  Miss  Arm- 
strong, for  the  naive  charm  of  the  little  people's  work  was  exceeding.  The 
coach  donated  her  services  and  the  proceeds  have  started  a  fund  for  a  Chil- 
dren's Playhouse  and  Little  Theater.  The  Cleveland  children  pride  them- 
selves on  being  the  first  to  start  their  own  fund. 

"Now  I  must  tell  you  of  my  latest  venture.  With  Director  Weston  of 
the  Regent  Photo  Play  Company  I  have  completed  a  five  reel  picture  of 
Sno-w  White  and  the  Seven  Dwarfs.  The  Educational  Film  Company  of 
New  York  were  anxious  to  have  it,  and  thirty-two  copies  of  it  are  now  being 
made.  At  present  we  are  doing  another  picture,  in  which  1  am  playing  a 
part.     There's  a  strong  fascination  about  the  work. 

"As  chairman  of  the  committee  of  Panhellenic  appointed  to  raise  one 
hundred  and  twenty  dollars  for  a  Cleveland  girl's  tuition  to  the  College 
for   Women,   I    am  happy  to   say  that  my   girl   is   registered.      Most   of   the 


S5 


ft  ^ 


n  & 
cro 
a  o 


O-C 


o  — 


332  The  Hisiorn   hf  Alpha  Chi  ()mega  Fraternity 

money  I   raised  by  giving  the  proceeds   from   an  extra  production  of  Siioic 
White." 

Sigma  has  two  other  members  on  the  instruction  "staff  at  Iowa,  Nina 
Shaffer,  Reference  Librarian  of  the  University  Library,  who  was  a  charter 
member  of  Sigma,  and  at  different  times  alumna  adviser  ;  Agnes  Flannagan, 
Sigma,  who  is  first  assistant  to  the  Director  of  the  School  of  Music.  She 
teaches  Piano,  Ensemble,  Harmony,  and  Counterpoint.  Her  piano  class  has 
grown  steadily,  and  her  work  has  received  much  favorable  comment. 
For  four  years  she  was  accompanist  to  the  Iowa  City  and  University  Choral 
Society,  a  chorus  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  voices.  She  is  beginning 
her  sixth  year  of  teaching  in  the  University.  In  June,  1913,  Sigma  Chapter 
chose  Miss  Flannagan  as  their  treasurer,  and  she  still  holds  the  office. 

At  Brenau  College  four  Alpha  Chis  have  been  faculty  members : 
Grace  Jean  Sails,  Instructor  in  Oratory  Department. 
Margaret  Brown  Holder,  Director  of  Theoretical  Department, 
lona  Peterman,  Director  of  Pipe  Organ  and  Instructor  in  Piano. 
Ruby  McGaughey,   Instructor  in   Piano. 

Two  members  of  L^psilon  are  on  the  James  Millikin  University  faculty: 
Anna  McNabb,  Instructor  in  the  Conservatory  of  Music.   1912-14. 
Elizabeth  Putnam,  Instructor  in  Applied  Art  Department,  19 13-. 
Cora  Irene  Leiby  is  on  the  faculty  of  the  University  of  Idaho. 

Chi  Chapter  is  well  represented  on  the  faculty  with  Mrs.  Kerr,  wife  of 
the  president ;  Mrs.  Miriam  Thayer  Seeley,  Director  of  Physical  Education 
of  Women ;  Miss  Bertha  Davis  and  Miss  June  Seeley,  Instructors  in  the 
School  of  Home  Economics  ;  and  Miss  lerne  Ahern,  Instructor  in  the  Chem- 
istry Department. 

One  hundred  and  fifteen  members  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  we  therefore  no:e, 
have  served  or  are  serving  as  college  professors  or  instructors.  The  list  is  far 
from  complete,  we  are  certain,  but  it  is  extensive  enough  to  be  of  significance 
in  revealing  the  large  percentage  of  our  membership  who  are  working  in 
academic  lines. 

Two  members  of  Alpha  Chapter  established  conservatories  of  music  and 
have  become  well  known  in  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  and  Chicago, 
respectively,  for  their  work  in  their  capacity  of  musical  leaders.  Katharine 
McReynolds  was  president  of  Alpha  in  1887.  and  thus  she  had  the  honor 
of  initiating  Madame  Fannie  Bloomfield-Zeisler.  She  received  artist's  and 
teacher's  certificates  from  the  Royal  Conservatory,  Stuttgart,  Germany 
(1891-1895),  and  artist's  certificate  from  the  Stern  Conservatory,  Berlin 
(1899-1900).  In  1895,  together  with  Friiulein  Fanny  Koehle,  she  founded 
the  McReynolds-Koehle  Music  School  of  Washington.  D.  C,  which  for 
nineteen  years  held  high  standing  in  the  community. 


Promi xf.xi'  Mkmmkks 


333 


'I'hr  scIiodI  was  closed  in  its  twentieth  year,  in  1914,  when  Miss  McRey- 
nolcls  gave  up  her  professional  career  to  become  the  wife  of  Hon.  Martin 
A.  Morrison,   Representative  of  the  "Uh    District  of   Indiana  in  the  Congress. 

Several  years  previous  to  her  marriage  Miss  McRtynolds  became  deeply 
interested  in  the  work  of  winning  from  the  public  high  schools  of  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.  recognition  of  music  work  done  outside  the  schools  with  private 
music  teachers.  She  worked  tirelessly  and  single-handed  at  first,  but  gradually 
succeeded  in  interesting  the  school  board,  superintendents,  teachers,  private 
music  teachers,  parents,  and  pupils,  until  in  September.  l')13.  lier  efforts  were 
rewarded  by  seeing  the  high  schools  of  Washington.  1).  C,  offer  a  major 
credit  for  the  outside  study  of  nnisic.  This  iinio\-ation  received  general 
approval  and  its  success  was  as.sured  from  the  beginning.  It  has  proved  a 
boon  to  the  talented  pupil  as  well  as  to  the  private  music  teacher. 

Several  years  ago  Miss  McReynolds  had  the  honor  to  be  invited  to  become 
a  member  of  the  College  Women's  Club  of  Washington.  I).  ('..  and  is  one 
of  the  few  of  that  body  to  enjoy  a  place  on  the  list  of  those  who  have 
"distinguished  themselves  in  the  professions."  In  1915  she  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Congressional  Club.  In  both  of  the  above  clubs  she  serves  as  mem- 
ber of  their  respective  advisory  boards.  She  is  also  a  member  of  the  Friday 
Morning  Music  Club,  Washington's  largest  and  m'ost  important  music  club. 

While  principal  of  the  McReynolds-Koehle  Music  School,  Miss  McRey- 
nolds originated  a  preparatory  method  for  the  teaching  of  beginners  in 
music  and  a  Teachers'  Training  Course. 

Miss  McReynolds  was  an  ardent  fraternity  girl  while  an  active  member 
of  Alpha  Chapter,  and  recalls  with  pleasure  the  happy  memories  of  those 
days.  Especially  prized  is  a  summer 
spent  long  ago  with  our  illustrious 
sister,  Maud  Powell,  whose  com- 
panionship proved  a  scource  of  in- 
spiration to  the  young  teacher  all 
down  the  years. 

Ethel  Sutherlin  Bergey  gradu- 
ated from  the  De  Pauw  school  of 
music  while  it  was  still  managed  by 
our  patron,  James  H.  Howe.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  De  Pauw 
Symphony  ( )rchestra,  and  a  tutor  in 
the  school  of  music.  Later  she 
studied  a  year  in  Europe  and  spent 
some  time  at  .Milan  in  o])cratic 
study.  She  has  been  accompanist  in 
several  operatic  companies.  Ethel 
Sutherlin  Bergey  was  instrumental 
in  the  organization  of  Bergey's  Chi- 
cago Opera  School.  She  has  given 
many  piano  recitals  in  Chicago  and 
is  well  known  in  the  music  world.  ErirEi.   S.    RERriEV,  .■U/>Iia 


334  The  Hisiorv  ok  Alpha  Chi  (^mega  Fraternitv 

Of  writers  Alplia  Chi  (^mega  has  not  a  few.  There  are  many  members 
who  have  published  works  of  various  kinds,  written  as  a  by-product  of  a 
busy  life ;  several  Alpha  Chi  Omegas,  however,  are  professional  writers. 
Among  these  members,  all  well  known  to  the  Fraternity  through  the  pages  of 
The  Lyre,  is  Mary  Masters  Needham,  Beta,  magazine  writer.  Her  article, 
"What  a  War-Nurse  Saw,"  from  The  Independent,  was  republished  in  The 
Lyre.  J.  Olive  Porter,  Delta,  author  of  The  Ringmaster,  is  doing  journal- 
istic writing  in  Menton,  Paris.  Several  of  her  articles  on  the  war  have  been 
quoted  in  The  Lyre.     Margaret  Barber  Bowen,  poet,  formerly  of  the  staff  of 


Margaret  Barber   Bowen,  Delta 
Poet    and    Dramatist 

The  Atlantic  Monthly,  has  been  good  enough  to  contribute  several  short  poems 
to  The  Lyre.  She  is  now  writing  plays.  Mabel  Chalfin.  Epsilon,  has  written 
several  beautiful  and  successful  songs,  and  has  done  many  travel  sketches. 
She  travels  widely  and  gathers  her  material  from  all  parts  of  the  world. 
Louise  Van  Vorhees  Armstrong,  Theta,  is  doing  dramatic  composition  fn 
Chicago.     Her  plays  are  put  on  by  the  Art  Museum  there. 

Aside  from  these  professional  writers  are  about  two  score  members  who 
have  published  a  considerable  body  of  composition.  Jean  Whitcomb  Fenn, 
Beta,  wrote  the  Whitconib-Fenn  System  of  Teehnic  for  Junior  Grades. 

Mabel  Keech,  Beta,  published  Training  the  Little  Homemaker  by  Kitchen 
Garden  Methods. 


Promixk.nt  Mkmukrs  •  335 

Alta  Allen  Loud  has  conlrihutcd  rrequeiitly  to  The  Lyre,  and  has  served 
on  the  editorial  board  of  both  editions  of  the  History  of  Aipho  Chi  Omega. 
To  the  first  edition  she  wrote  the  Introduction. 

Nella  Ramsdell  Fall  has  contributed  to  The  Lyre,  and  assisted  in  the 
writing  of  the  ritual  of  the  Fraternity  Fay  I^arnaby  Kent  and  Virginia 
Fiske  Green. 

Florence  Fall  Miller  has  written  several  poems. 

Five  members  have  filled  the  post  of  Fditor  of  The  Lyre:  Mary  Janet 
Wilson,  and  Elma  Patton  Wade,  of  Alpha;  Edith  Manchester  (iriffin,  and 
Florence  Reed  Haseltine,  of  Zeta ;  and  Florence  A.  Armstrong  of  Mu. 
Miss  Armstrong  has  written  much  for  newspapers,  and  edited  and  wrote  the 
first  and  second  editions,  respectively,  of  the  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 
Mabel  Siller  Nafis  wrote  the  first  edition  of  the  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

Carrie  Adelaide  Trowbridge,  Epsilon.  is  author  of  a  set  of  seven  Charac- 
teristic Pieces  for  Piano,  and  of  Valse  Melodigne.  both  published  by  R.  ^^^ 
Neflfelfinger,  Los  Angeles. 

Estelle  Leonard,  Alpha,  has  published  a  volume  of  easy  teaching  pieces 
for  the  piano. 

Elizabeth  Egleston-Hinman,  Zeta,  is  the  authoress  of  Naya.  Published  by 
Rand,  McNally  and  Company. 

Margaret  L'pcraft,  Zeta,  is  the  composer  of  several  songs,  published  by 
G.  Schirmer  and  Company,  New  York. 

Olga  Brandenburg  Currier.  Zeta,  composed  Spring  Quartette,  songs,  piano 
pieces,  and  cello  pieces. 

Gladys  Livingston  (iraft",  Zeta,  former  Chief  Alumna  The  Lyre,  con- 
tributed a  brilliant  series  of  sketches  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  artists  to  The 
Lyre;  has  written  for  Boston  Transcript.  X ew  York  Globe,  and  Des  Moines 
Register  and  Leader. 

Margaret  R.  Lang  has  written  numberless  songs  published  by  Arthur  P. 
Schmidt.  Boston.  Leipzig.  New  York.  Besides  these  she  has  written  piano- 
forte solos.  Part-songs,  and  Songs  to  order  for  G.  Schirmer  ;  Messrs.  Breit- 
kopf  and  Hartel ;  John  Church  Co. ;  C.  C.  Birchard  and  Co. ;  Ginn  and  Co. : 
J.  B.  Millet :  Silver.  Burdett  and  Co.,  and  others. 

Mrs.  H.  H.  A.  Beach  has  published  songs  and  concertos. 

Maud  Powell  has  written  poems  and  violin  pieces. 

Ellen  Beach  Yaw  has  written  poems  and  songs. 

Virginia  Fiske  Green.  Theta.  has  written  poems,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  songs, 
and  assisted  in  writing  the  beautiful  ritual  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

Susan  Reed.  Iota  (Ph.D.  Illinois),  wrote  Church  and  State  in  Massachu- 
setts, l6gi-iJ40.  published  in  the  LTniversity  of  Illmois  Studies  in  the  Social 
Sciences.  (This  monograph  was  reviewed  in  the  American  Historical  Reviejv, 
January,  1916,  and  in  the  Xation.  July  15.  1915.)  She  has  published  also  an 
article,  British  Cartography  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  in  the  Eighteenth 
Century,  printed  in  the  Mississippi  J' alley  Historical  RevieK<,  Septeml)er. 
1915. 

May  Allinson,  Iota,  is  the  author  of  the  following  works  :  Studies  of  the 
Health  of  Women  Workers   (ready  for  the  press)  ;  Dress- ma  king  as  a  Trade 


Elizabeth  Egleston-Hinmax,  Zr.a 
Grand  Secretary,  1898-1900.     Author  of  Naya 


pRoMiNK.N  1  Members 


)3  ( 


jor  Women,  published  by  the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics.  She  was  director  in 
investigation  and  author  in  cooperation  of  the  foHowing  works :  The  Public 
Schools  and  Women  in  Office  Service,  published  by  Boston  School  Com- 
mittee :  Women  in  the  Hoot  anil  Shoe  Industry  of  Massachusetts,  published 
as  a  bulletin  of  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics;  A  Trade  School  for  Girls, 
published  by  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education;  Industrial  Efficiency  of  Girls 
Trained  in  Massachusetts  Trade  Schools,  to  be  published  as  a  bulletin  of 
L'.  S.  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics. 

Inez  Boyce,  KLappa,  is  the  authoress  of  The  Relation  of  the  Basis  Diet  to 
the  Composition  of  Body  Tissue  as  Affecting  Arterio-Sclerosis,  pulilished  by 
Journal  of  Biological  Chemistry. 

Marv  Sayle.  Kappa,  wrote.  The  Reactions  of  Xecturus  Maculosus  to 
Stimuli  Received  Through  the  Skin,  published  by  the  Journal  of  Animal 
Behavior.     (Harvard.) 

Several  undergraduates  have  done 
original  work  of  great  artistic  prom- 
ise :  Katharine  Kester  of  ( )micron ; 
Alice  Blodgett  of  Theta ;  and  Doris 
AIcEntyre  of  Pi.  author  of  the 
pageant  When  Love  Took  Up  the 
Harp  of  Life. 

Zetha  Hammer,  Phi,  '16,  is  at 
work  in  jounialism. 

Gretchen  O'Donnell  Starr,  is 
author  of  Bibliography  of  the  Geolo- 
gy and  Geography  of  the  State  of 
Jl'ashington,  pul)lished  and  distrib- 
uted by  the  State  Geological  Survey. 
Mrs.  Starr  is  the  only  woman  wdio  has 
Avritten  a  Bulletin  published  by  the 
State  Geological  Survey.  Being  the 
first  bibliography  written  for  ten 
years  covering  this  subject,  the  Bul- 
letin has  been  in  great  demand  by 
libraries  and  colleges. 

Numbers  of  the  members  of  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  have  won  conspicuous  suc- 
cesses musically.  (For  details  of  the 
work  of  many  of  them  see  The  Lyre 

for  April.  1913.)  In  the  mention  made  above  of  Alpha  Chi  Gmegas  on  college 
faculties,  and  of  writers,  several  musicians  have  been  noted.  Some  of  the 
others  who  have  distinguished  themselves  in  the  musical  world  wt  will  men- 
tion, with  regret  that  space  cannot  be  given  to  relate  the  fascinating  stories 
of  their  careers. 

Lucy  Andrews  Odell.  Alplia.  violinist,  lecturer  on  art.  translator  of 
Armenian  songs. 


DoKis    E.    McEmvke.  /') 

\iithor    of    Greek    Pageant,    ll'lwii    Lore    look 
Up    the   Harp    of    Life 


338 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraterxity 


Berta  Miller  Ruick,  Alpha,   soloist. 

Grace  Brown,  Beta,  head  of  Piano  Department  in  Michigan  School  for 
the  Blind. 

Zilla  Brigham  Sand.   Cleveland,  organist  and  accompanist. 

Marie  White  Longman.  Beta,  contralto,  Chicago. 

Kate  Calkins  Drake.  Beta,  concert  singer,  Texas. 

Elin  Gustafson  Turrentine.  Beta,  contralto,  concertist. 

Eva  Marzolf  Tiney.  Director  of  Music  in  Michigan  Soldiers'  Home, 
Grand  Rapids. 

Alida  Handy,  Beta.  Bay  City,  Michigan,  organist  and  choir  director. 


I5eri'a    M]L[.eu    Ruick,   Alpha 

Delia  Sprague,  Beta.  Kalamazoo,  Michigan,  contralto,  soloist,  and  teacher. 

Zella   Marshall,   Gamma,   Chicago,   pianist. 

Marie  White  Clark,  Gamma,  Evanston.  soprano. 

Mary  Marshall  and  Julia  Marshall.  Gamma,  pianist  and  violinist,  respec- 
tively. 

Myrta  McKean   Dennis,   Gamma,  pianist. 

Tina  May  Haynes,  Gamma,  organist  and  choir  director. 

Vesta  Lister,   Gamma,  soprano,  song  recitals. 

El   Fleda  Coleman  Jackson,  soloist,   Oklahoma. 

Mabel  Dunn  Madson,  teacher  of  music  in  Cleveland. 

Fay  Barnaby  Kent,  Delta,  organist  and  choirmaster  of  the  church  of 
the  Ascension,  Mt.  Vernon,  N.  Y. 


P R( )  M  1  N  E  N  T   M  E  M  U E RS 


339 


Saka  Fkancf.s  Evans,  Del/a 

Mrs.  John  Dick.  Delta. 
Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  sopra- 
no soloist. 

Edith  Wells  Ely.  Zeta. 
pianist  in  chamber  concert  work 
and  s\mphony. 

Josephine  Durrell.  Zeta. 
Boston,  violinist,  organizer  of 
Durrell  String  Quartette. 

Anne  McLeary.  Zeta.  jjianist 
and  organist. 

Helen  Wegmann.  Zeta. 
Portland.  Oregon,  violinist. 

Dicie  Howell.  Zeta.  New 
York,  soloist. 

(ieorge  Thoensseii.  Zeta. 
New  York,  soloist. 

Louise  Daniell,  Zeta.  Hous 
ton.  Texas,  pianist.  ac<'ompanist. 
soloist  with  orchestra. 

Alice  Mustard  Adams.  Zeta. 
soloist.  Seattle. 


Sara  Frances  Evans,  Delta,  contralto 
sdloist.  Brooklyn,  N.  \'. 

May  Thorpe  drahani.  Delta,  chorus, 
piano. 

Juvia  ().   Hull.   Delta,  chorus,  vocal. 

Herlha  McC'ord.  Delta.  Canton.  Ohio, 
teaclier  of  voice. 

Charlotte  Marhoffer  (Iringer.  Delta, 
[lianist    and    soloist. 

Aha  Moyer  Taylor,  Delta,  soprano 
soloist. 

Oertrude  Ogden  Fleming.  Delta,  so- 
prano soloist. 

Fern  Pickard  Stevens,  Delta,  vocal  and 
piano  teacher:  accompanist. 


Jm->1  in  INK     I  )t   UKKI.I,,    Zi  Ul 
\'ii>liiiist 


^  ^ 


< 


Prominent  Members 


341 


Sara  Helen  Littlejohn,  Zeta, 
pianist. 

Estelle  M.  Dunkle,  Zeta,  Bos- 
ton, organizer  of  Zeta  Zeta  Chap- 
ter; treasurer  of  Alumn;e  Associa- 
tion ;    pianist. 

Lillian  Goulston  McMasters, 
Zeta.  pianist  and  teacher.  Wmi 
Mrs.  Jack  Gardner  Scholarship  in 
Competition  in   1903. 

Florence  Larrabee,  Zeta,  New 
\'ork,  concertist. 

Alice  Reynolds  Fischer.  Theta. 
founder  with  her  husband,  Edgar 
S.  Fischer,  of  Fischer  School  of 
Music,  Walla  Walla,  Washington. 

Flora  Withers,  Iota,  soprano 
soloist  with  orchestra  in  choral 
societies,   teacher. 

Frances  Waldo  Fee,  Lambda, 
teacher  of  piano  in  Seattle  until 
her  marriage  to  James  Alger  Fee. 

Xellaby  Finnev,  Mu,  soprano 
soloist;   won  second  place  in  Wales  in  Eisteddfod   Contest. 

Genevieve  Fodrea,  Xi,  violinist,  Chicago. 

Clara  Hill,  Xi,  Lincoln,  N^ebraska,  singer  with  Redpath-Horne 

Edith  May  Biddeau,  Omicron,  concert  singer. 

Leila  Nielsen,  Pi,  singer,  California. 

Margaret  McCulloch  Lang,  violinist,  concertist,  and  preacher. 

Gertrude  Guller,  Upsilon,  piano  soloist  and  accompanist. 


Llora   Withers,   lola 


r  Lvceum. 


The  social  workers  in  Alpha  Chi  Omega  are:  Ina  Scherrebeck.  Sigma. 
National  Secretary  Y.  W.  C.  A.;  Lora  Hagler.  Mu,  Religious  Work  Direc- 
tory of  Y.  W.  C.  A.;  Florence  E.  Cain,  Alpha,  who  worked  among  mill 
girls  in  the  mountains  of  the  South  ;  Vera  Bash,  Delta,  engaged  in  settlement 
work  in  Philadelphia  :  Mabel  Keech,  Beta,  in  settlement  work  in  Philadel- 
phia; Betty  Henley,  Lambda,  who  was  employed  both  in  church  and  factory 
social  work;  Mary  Vose,  Gamma;  May  Allinson,  Iota;  Frances  Kirkwood. 
Iota,  did  social  service  among  the  women  of  the  mines  of  Birmingham; 
Alabama;  Mildred  Moody,  Lambda,  in  charge  of  a  branch  of  the  work  of  New- 
York  W.  C.  T.  U.,  1914-1916.  and  a  national  lecturer  for  W.  C.  T.  I'..  1916  ; 
Dorothy  C.  Thompson,  Lambda,  New  York  State  organizer  of  Woman 
Suffrage,  1914-1916;  Ethel  J.  McCoy,  Lambda,  vice-president  of  Sunday 
School  work  of  the  Southern  Methodist  Church  in  the  state  of  Florida.  1913- 
1916.  The  work  of  most  of  these  members  has  been  described  in  detail  in  the 
issues  of  The  Lyre  during  the  past  five  years. 


342 


Till:  lIisix)Rv  OF  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


IxA  Sherrebeck,  Sigf?ia;  Lora  Hagi.er,  Mii ;  Florence  Cain,  Alpha:  Mildred  Moodv, 
Lambda. 

A  resume  of  the  undergraduate's  distinctions  epitomizes,  in  a  way.  her 
college  career.  College  honors  are  significant — like  college  life,  prophetic. 
The  Fraternity  is  able,  with  some  degree  of  fulness,  to  note  the  honors 
which  come  to  active  members  ;  would  that  alumna?  might  make  possible  a 
continuance  of  that  knowledge.  For  the  sake  of  reference,  as  well  as  to 
express  appreciation  of  splendid  college  citizenship,  the  honors  won  by  college 
members  are  here  listed  by  chapters. 

Alpha  Chapicr,  Dc  Pauw  University 
Vera  Cooper — Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1906. 
Edna  Walters— President  of  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1907. 
Maynie  Walters — Vice-president  Senior  Class,  1910. 
Katherine  Stanford — Vice-president  Senior  Class,  1905. 
Ava  Guild — Student  Volunteer,  Vice-president,   1909. 
Harriet  Lessig — Phi  Beta  Kappa,   1911. 

Florence  Bell— Delta  Mu  Sigma   (Honorary  Musical),   1912-1913. 
Esther  Marvin — Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1914; 

Tusitala   (Honorarv  Literary),   1914; 

Mirage  Board,  1913; 

President  Sodalitas  Latina,   1914. 
Vera  Conn — President  Sodalitas  Latina,  1914. 
Mary  Robinson — Student  Council,  1913. 
Bess  Sanders — Mirage  Board,  1915. 

President  Panhellenic,   1915-1916; 

Vice-president  History  Club,   1915-1916; 

S.  G.  A.  Executive  Board,  1915-1916; 

Y.  W.  C.  A.  Sub-cabinet,  1915-1916; 

Student   Council,    1915-1916. 


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344  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Margaret  Robison — Mirage  Board,   1915; 

Secretary  Sodalitas  Latina,   1915; 

Vice-president  Senior  Class,    1915-1916. 
Florence  Bishop— Glee  Club,  1914-1915. 
Ressie  Jenkins — Duzer  Du  (dramatic),  1914-1916; 

Treasurer  Duzer  Du,  1916. 
Flossie  Allen — Mirage  Board,   1916; 

Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1913-1914; 

Student  Council,  1914-1915; 

Glee   Club,    1914-1915; 

Delta  Mu  Sigma,   1914-1916. 
Agnes  Davis — Mirage  Board,  1915; 

Orchestra,  1914-1915; 

Delta   Mu   Sigma,    1914-1915. 
Opal  Goodrich— University  Choir,   1913-1914. 
Emily  Brewer— Duzer  Du,  1914-1916. 
Evelyn  Johns— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1914-1915; 

Vice-president  Suffrage  League,  1914-1915. 
Icy  Alice  Frost — University  Choir,  1913-1916; 

Student  Council,   1914-1915; 

Glee  Club,   1913-1914; 

Secretary  S.  G.  A.,  1915; 

President  S.  G.  A.,  1916; 

Mirage  Board,  1916; 

Delta  Mu  Sigma,   1915-1916. 
Beatrice  Herron — Student  Council,  1915-1916; 

S.  G.  A.  Executive  Board,  1915-1916; 

Y.  W.  C.  A.  Sub-cabinet,  1915-1916; 

Mirage  Board,  1916. 
Isabel  Wineland— /?«/■/>'  Staff,  1915  ; 

Glee  Club,  1914; 

Y.  W.  C.  A.  Sub-cabinet,  1915-1916; 

Mirage  Board,  1916. 
Nelda  Weathers— Treasurer  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1916; 

President  Civic  League,  1916. 
Myrtle  Strom— Orchestra,  1915-1916. 
Vivien  Bard— Student  Council,  1914-1915; 

Orchestra,   1915-1916; 

S.  G.  A.  Executive  Board,  1915-1916. 
Bernice  Olcott — Orchestra,  1915-1916; 

Delta  Mu  Sigma,  1915-1916. 
Anne  Rominger^Orchestra,  1915-1916. 
Enid  Vandeveer— Glee  Club,  1914. 
Marie  Miller— Student  Volunteer,    1915-1916; 


Prominent  Members  345 

S.  G.  A.  Executive  Board,  1915-1916; 

President  Women's  Athletic  Association,    1915-1916. 
Clara  Sharp— /;<?// v  Staff,   1916. 

Marguerite  Varner — Secretary  Student  Council.   1916-1917. 
Charlotte   Twineham — S.  (J.  A.  Executive  Board,  1916. 
Mary  Winans — Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1916. 

Beta  Chapter,  Albioti  College,  Albion,  Michigan 

Gertrude  Babcock — V.  W.  C.  A.  President. 
Harriet  Armstrong — V.  W.  C.  A.  President. 
Edna   Newcomer — Class    President;    Student   Senate,    1910-1911;    Assistant 

Editor  of  Junior  Annual;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,   1910-1911. 
Ada  Dickie — Class  President ;  Pleiad  Staff. 
Jean  MacDonald — Class  President;   Class  Prophet.    1910. 
Aha  Allen— Class   President;    Greek   Prize,    1898;   Pleiad  Staff. 
Sue  Graecen — Class  President. 
Olah  Hill— Class  President. 
Edith    Ketchum — Contributors'    Club;    Pleiad    Staff;    Tennis    Champion; 

V.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet.  1910-1911;  Student  Senate,  1910-1911. 
Florence     Fall — Contributors'     Club ;     Secretary    of     Conservatory ;     Class 

Prophet ;  Tennis  Champion. 
Margera  Moore — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet.   1910-1911;   Student  Senate;   Class 

President.  1910-1911. 
Nella  Ramsdell — Senior   Play. 
Ethel  Lovell — Senior  Play. 
Mary   Perine — Tennis   Champion. 
Harriet  Love  joy- — Pleiad  Staff. 

Mildred  Moore— Contributors'  Clul).  1910-1911  :  Student  Senate.  1910-1911. 
Mabel  Doty— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1910-1911. 
Dana  Randall— Student  SeTiate,  1910-1911. 

Until  1907  Albion  College  had  no  honorary  society  nor  honor  roll.  In 
that  year  Delta  Eta  Sigma,  local  honorary  society,  was  established  to  which 
those  who  are  elected  to  the  honor  roll  belong.  The  honor  roll  consists  of 
ten  students  chosen  each  year  by  the  faculty  for  a  high  grade  of  work  done 
in  the  literary  department.  Beta's  members  on  it  since  1907  have  been: 
Yera  Patterson.  Frances  Hickok.  Glennie  Weston.  Esther  Barney,  Dorothy 
Tefft. 

Gamma  Chapter,  Northwestern  University 

Florence  VLdiXxh— Syllabus  Board,  1898. 

Mabel  Siller — Syllabus  Board.  1901;  Secretary  of  Junior  Class;  Vice- 
president  of  Senior  Class;  Secretary-treasurer  of  Alumni  Class. 

Myrtle  Jensen — Syllabus  Board,  1909;  Sargent  Oratorical  Contest;  Ambas- 
sador of  Calethia  Literary  Society. 

Helen  Hardie — Syllabus  Board,  1909;  Anonian  Literar>-  Society;  Class 
Prophet,   1910. 


346  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Grace  Fisher — Syl/abus  Board  ;  President  Freshman  Class  Music  School. 
Alice  Watson — Secretary  Freshman  Class  Music  School ;  A  Capella  Choir, 

1908-1909. 
Jennie  Fidlar — Treasurer  Freshman  Class  Music  School,   1908-1909. 
Hedwig  Brenneman— 5.v//<7/;//.y  Board,   1907-1908;  A  Capella  Choir,   1907- 

1909. 
Mae  Smith— A  Capella  Choir,  1907-1909. 
Winifred  Webster — Vice-president  Junior   Class   Oratory  School;    Secretary 

and  Treasurer  Senior  Class   Oratory  School ;   Thalian  Society. 
Jeanette  Wilson — Editor-in-chief  Oratory  Syl/abus  Board ;  Thalian  Society ; 

Eta   Gamma  Society    ( Intersorority  Oratory). 
Helen  Baird— Syllabus  Board,  1908-1909. 
Susan    Sivright — Secretary    Sophomore    Class    Music    School,     1910-1911; 

Sophomore  Committee  for  Torch  Light  Procession,  1911. 
Laura  Turner — Syllabus  Board,  1909-1910;  Eta  Gamma  Society. 
Mabel  Slane — Eta  Gamma  Society ;  Thalian  Society. 
Emily  Upton — Eta  Gamma  Society;  Thalian  Play. 
Arminda  Mowre — Eta  Gamma  Society;  Syllabus  Board,  1911-1912. 
Ruth  Saucerman — Syllabus  Board,  1910-1911  ;  Calethia  Literary  Society. 
Lucile  Morgan — Sergeant-at-arms  Anonian  Literary  Society;  Suffrage  Play, 

1910;  Junior  Committee  for  Torch  Light   Procession,    1911. 
Esther  Semans — Secretary  Woman's  League,  1909-1910;  President  Woman's 

League,  1910-1911  ;  Second  Cabinet  V.  W.  C.  A.,  1909-1910;  Class  His- 
torian, 1911;  Chairman  Senior  Social  Committee,  1910-1911. 
Delia  Anderson — ^A  Capella  Choir,   1911. 
Adeline   Nelson — A    Capella   Choir,    1911. 
Elthea  Snider — A  Capella  Choir;   President  Junior   Class,    1917    (Music)  ; 

Panhellenic    Scholarship    Banquet :    V.    W.    C.    A.    Cabinet  ;    Laurean 

Literary   Society. 
Phyllis  Sayles — President  Junior  Class,  1916  (M^sic)  ;  Syllabus  Board,  1918. 
Irma  Brady — Secretary  of  Student  Assembly. 
Catherine  Macpherson — Hockey,  Baseball,  and  Basketball  Team;    Syllabus 

Board,  1918. 

Delta  Chapter,  Allegheny  College 
Jessie  Merchant,  Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1901. 
Clara  Wheeling,  Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1909;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet;  Quill  Club; 

Senior  Six. 
Lucy  Loane,  Phi  Beta  Kappa ;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet ;  Quill  Club  ;  Classical 

'  Club. 
June  Shires— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Secretary.  1910-1911. 
Mary   Green— Scientific   Club,    1909. 
Belle  Layng — Senior  Eight. 
Olga  Henry — Vice-president,   1907-1908. 
Louise  Chase— Junior  Member,  1908-1909. 
Wilhelmina  Anderson — Sophomore  Member.   1909-1910. 
Belle  Chase— Senior  Eight,  1900. 
Olga  Henry — Vice-president  Student  Government  Board,   1907-1908. 


Pkd.MI  M;N  1     M  KMHKRS 


347 


Anna  Tarr,  Delta 
Librarian 


Louise  Chase — Junior  Member  Student  Govemnient   Hoard   1908-1909. 
Anna    Tarr — Class    Valedictorian,     1908- 

1909. 
Lucy    Loane — Secretary    of    Quill    Club, 
Vice-president  of  Y.  W.  C.  A. ;  Vale- 
dictorian. 1910-1911. 
June   Shires.   Secretary   of   Y.    W.    C.    A., 

1911-1912. 
Ruth  Dorworth — President  of  Klee-o- 
Kleet ;  Secretary  of  Quill  Club,  Assis- 
tant P^ditor  of  Kalihon  :  Vice-president 
of  Girls'  Athletic  Association,  1911- 
1912. 
June     Shires — Vice-president     of     Student 

Government  Board,   1911-1912. 
Irene   Beatty— President  of  Student   Gov- 
ernment Board  ;   Secretary  of  Klee-o- 
Kleet;  Class  Day  Speaker,  1912-1913. 
Margaret    Seitz — Junior    Member    Student 
Government  Board  ;  Manager  of  Girls' 
Glee  Club.  1912-1913. 
Lillian    Xelson — Treasurer    Girls'  Athletic  Association.   1912-1913. 
Margaret  Seitz — President  of  Student  Government  Board;  Secretary  of  Klee- 

o-Kleet,  1913-1914. 
Helen  Thomas — Class  Day  Speaker.  1913-1914. 

.Althea    Hunt — Phi    Beta    Kappa;    Class    Day 

Speaker.   1913-1914. 
Janet  Ellis— Leader  of  Girls'  (ilee  Club.  1914- 

1915. 
Rose    Piatt — President   of   Klee-o-Kleet ;   Kal- 

droii  Editorial  Board.  1914-1915. 
Edith  Askev — Vice-president  of  Student   Gov- 
ernment Board,  1914-1915. 
I.ucile  Lippitt — Secretary  of  Quill  Club  :   Presi- 
dent   of    La    Petit   Salon:    Editor    of    the 
Literary  Monthly.  1914-1915. 
(ieorgia     Roberts — Campus     Editorial     Board, 

1914-1915. 
Marguerite    Beatty — President    of    the    Girls' 
.\thletic    Association ;     Vice-president    of 
Klee-o-Kleet,    1915-1916. 
Ruth  Allgood — Afanager  of  Girls'  Glee  Club, 


Althea  Hunt,  Delta,  1914 
•!>  B  K,  Allegheny  College 


1915-1916. 
Dortha   Augove — Treasurer   of   La   Petit  Salon 
Government  Board,  1915-1916. 


Vice-president   of   Student 


348 


The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 


Georgia  Carr — Campus  Editorial  Board,  1915-1916. 

Hildur  Johnson — Junior  Member  of  Student  (iovernment  Board,  1915-1916. 

Mildred  Hazen — Phi  Beta  Kappa;  President  of  La  Petit  Salon:  Vice-presi- 
dent of  Y.  W.  C.  A.:  Basketball  Coach,  1916-1917. 

Martha  Nebinger — Vice-president  of  Student  Government  Board ;  Vice- 
president  of  Girls'  Athletic  Association,  1916-1917;  Treasurer  Y.  W. 
C.  A. 

Elizabeth  Hendershot — Secretary  of  Tingley  Biological  Club,   1916-1917. 

Agnes  Van  Hoesen — Vice-president  of  Klee-o-Kleet,  1916-1917. 


Anna  Clemson  Ray,  Delia 
Artist-Photograplier 


Elizabeth    Garver,  Delia 
Director   of   Public   Playgrounds,    Meadville,   Pa. 


Epsilon  Chapter,  University  of  Soi/t/ier/i  California 

A  steady  improvement  may  be  noted  in  Epsilon's  growth  and  develop- 
ment since  the  time  of  its  reawakening  in  1905.  From  existence  for  mere 
enjoyment  of  each  other's  society,  the  chapter  has  growm  to  stand  for  high 
scholarship,  honest  Panhellenic  dealings,  and  campus  activities.  Altruistic 
motives  have  also  been  visible.  The  chapter  has  endeavored  to  cooperate 
in  any  way  possible  which  might  be  for  the  betterment  and  progress  of  the 
institution.  Since  competitive  scholarship  has  been  published  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  has  several  times  stood  in  the  first  rank  of  U.  S.  C.  fraternities. 

The  College  Panhellenic  at  U.  S.  C.  was  organized  through  the  efforts 
of  this  chapter,  and  its  progress  has  been  largelv  due  to   Epsilon. 


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350  The  History  ok  Ali'ha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Epsiloii  was  first  represented  in  the  Voung  Woman's  Christian  Association 
in  1908.  In  that  year  Olive  Berryman  was  appointed  cabinet  member  and 
served  until  1910.  Phoebe  Joslin  served  as  secretary  during  1909  and  1910. 
Other  cabinet  members  have  been:  Mabel  Farrington,  1910-1911;  Alice 
Crabb,  1910-1911;  Edna  Sedweek.  1914-1915.  Ruth  Arnold  served  as 
secretary  during  1911-1912.     In  1916  Edna  Sedweek  was  elected  president. 

Adelaide  Trowbridge  was  elected  honorary  member  of  Clionian  Literary 
Society. 

Anne  Shepard,  president  of  Athena  Literary  Society,   1909. 

During  1910  and  1911  Olive  Berryman  served  as  secretary  of  the 
Women's  League,  and  Anne  Shepard  served  as  chairman  of  the  Social  Com- 
mittee. Mildred  Finch  served  on  the  Social  Committee  during  1910-1911. 
In  the  same  year  Anna  St.  John  served  on  the  Advisory  Board.  In  1912 
the  name  of  the  organization  was  changed  to  Associated  Women  Students. 
Mildred  Finch  was  elected  president  of  the  new  organization  in  1913.  Dur- 
ing 1914-1915  Doris  Coomber  served  as  social  chairman.  In  1915-1916 
Isabel  Long  filled  this  office. 

There  were  no  honor  societies  in  Liberal  Arts  until  1912.  At  that  time 
Torch  and  Tassel  and  Lance  and  Lute  were  organized.  Torch  and  Tassel 
is  a  women's  honorary  society.  Only  women  who  have  been  prominent  in 
college  activities,  and  are  of  splendid  character  and  achievement  are  eligible. 

Lance  and  Lute  is  an  honorary  dramatic  society.  The  membership  is 
drawn  from  the  junior  play  cast.  Only  those  who  have  shown  marked  ability 
are  eligible.  Mildred  Finch  was  instrumental  in  establishing  both  of  these 
societies  and  was  a  charter  member  of  each.  Other  members  of  Torch  and 
Tassel  have  been  Lsabel  Long.  1916.  and  Edna  Sedweek.  1916.  Anna  St. 
John  accepted  an  invitation  to  Lance  and  Lute  in  1912.  Isabel  Long  in  1915. 

In  1914  several  faculty  men.  members  of  Phi  Beta  Kappa  who  were 
desirous  of  promoting  higher  standards  of  scholarship,  organized  the  scholar- 
ship society  of  the  University  of  Southern  California.  Lucy  Adams  was 
elected  to  this  society  in  the  same  vear. 

Epsilon  Chapter  has  been  active  in  the  musical  life  of  the  university. 
In  1906-1907  Hattie  Holmes  was  a  member  of  the  Girls'  Glee  Club.  Shortly 
afterwards  the  organization  was  di.ssolved  and  no  active  work  was  done  in 
this  line  until  in  1912,  when  Elva  Murray  was  instrumental  in  forming  a 
new  Girls'  Glee  Club.  Ruth  Eveland.  Anna  Logan,  and  Mildred  Tousley 
were  active  in  the  organization  during  the  first  year  of  its  existence.  Edna 
Cummins  served  as  accompanist  from  1912  to  1914.  In  1914  the  Tone 
Weavers'  Club  was  organized  at  the  College  of  Music.  Jane  Stanlev  served 
as  secretary  and  accompanist  during  1914-1915.  In  1915  the  Women's  Quar- 
tette of  the  College  of  Music  was  organized.  Elva  Murray  was  chosen  as  one 
of  its  members. 

For  many  years  Epsilon  Chapter  has  had  leading  parts  in  the  dramatics. 
In  junior  play  casts.  Epsilon  has  been  represented  by  Olive  Berryman  in 
1909,  Anna  St.  John,  in  1911  ;  Mildred  Finch,  in  1912;'lsabel  Long,  in  1915. 


Prominent  Members  351 

in  Shakespeare  Club  plays.  ICdith  Heanie  in  1910  took  part  in  Chiiins.  Mil- 
dred Tousley  took  leading  parts  in  Twelfth  Night  in  1913,  and  in  Much  Ado 
About  Nothing  in  1914.  In  the  sophomore  play  cast  of  1912,  Doris  Coom- 
her  and  Marion  (Ireene  took  prominent  parts.  Zemula  Pope  took  the  leading 
part  in  the  freshman  play  in  1916. 

Epsilon  has  been  prominent  in  journalism  at  the  University  of  Southern 
California.  On  El  Rodeo  staff  Epsilon  has  been  represented  by  Katherine 
Asher,  1910;  Anne  Shepard.  1910;  Olive  Berryman.  1910-1911;  Marion 
Greene.  1913-1914;  Ruth  l^veland.  1915-1916.  On  the  Daily  staff  Clara 
Stephenson  served  as  editor  in  1912-1913.  Other  members  of  the  staff  were 
Elva  Murray.  1913-1914;  Joanna  Nixon.  1915-1916;  Albra  Smart.  1916; 
Evelvn  Burgess.  1915-1916.  ( )live  La  Clair  served  on  Xha  Sophcuiicrc  Courier 
staff  1909-1910.  Anne  Shepard  was  a  member  of  the  .luui<>r  Courier  stafT 
1909-1910. 

In  1914-1915  Jane  Stanley  was  elected  president  of  the  Student  Body  of 
the  College  of  Music.  During  1915-1916  Ruth  Eveland  served  as  secretary 
of  the  Associated  Students  of  the  University.  In  1915  the  Big  Sister  move- 
ment of  the  university  was  started,  having  for  its  purpose  the  promotion 
of  better  feeling  of  friendliness  and  helpfulness  between  the  upperclass  girls 
and  their  freshman  sisters.  Isabel  Long  was  appointed  Chief  Big  Sister 
for  1916-1917.  The  President's  Council  was  organized  in  1916.  It  is  com- 
posed of  the  most  efficient  and  most  representative  college  men  and  women 
of  the  university.  Its  purpose  is  to  provide  for  the  general  welfare  of  the 
Student  Body.  Edna  Sedweek  was  one  of  the  first  members  to  be  appointed 
to  this  Council. 

The  Modern  Language  clubs  in  the  university  are  very  active,  wide-awake 
organizations.  Epsilon  has  been  well  represented  in  all  of  these  associations. 
In  1913  Ruth  Flveland  was  elected  to  the  office  of  vice-president  of  the 
German  Club.  Lucv  Adams  was  also  a  member  in  1913.  'Lhe  French  Club 
was  organized  in  1913.  Ruth  Eveland  was  elected  to  membersliij)  in  1913. 
Laura  Long  accepted  an  invitation  in  1915.  Ruth  Home  is  akso  a  member. 
During  1914-1915  Margaret  Snowden  was  a  member  of  the  Spanish  Club. 
Albra  Smart  was  elected  to  membership  in  1916. 

The  women  have  always  taken  an  active  part  in  athletics,  and  Epsilon 
has  been  well  represented.  In  1908  Katherine  .\sher  was  captain  of  the 
Women's  Basketball  Team.  Anne  Shepard  was  a  member  of  the  Basketball 
Team  in  1909,  and  was  elected  captain  in  1910.  In  1913  the  Girls'  Walking 
Club  was  organized  and  Elva  Murray  was  elected  secretary.  Marion  (ireene 
acted  as  president  of  the  club  in  1913-1914.  The  Girls'  Hockey  Team  was 
organized  in  1912.  Epsilon  was  represented  in  1912  by  Loretta  Murphy; 
in  1913  by  Bess  Murphy  and  Doris  Coomber.  Marion  (ireene  was  a  member 
of  the  Tennis  Club  in  1913.  and  its  vice-president  in  1914-1915.  Laura  Long 
held  this  office  in  1915-1916. 

Theta  Chapter,  C'niiersity  of  Michigan 

Katherine   Anderson — Wyvern    (Honorary   Junior   Society). 
Pearl  Bowman — Omega  Phi. 


352  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Alice    Blodgett — Manager    Women's    League    Pageant,     1915     and     1916; 

AVyvern. 
Ruth  Butler— Glee  Club,  Stylus. 
Helen  Bush — Glee  Club. 
Irene  Connell — Deutscher  Verein. 
Eliza  Cramner — Glee  Club,  Junior  Girls'  Play. 
Marie  Dole — President  Symphonic  League,   1916-1917. 
Laura    Feige — Wyvern,    Mortar    Board    (Senior    Honorary    Society)  ;    Glee 

Club;  Deutscher  Verein;  President  of  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1914-1915. 
Vera  Fox — -Deutscher  Verein. 
Mandelle  Germonde — Comedy  Club. 
Persis  M.  Goeschel— Phi  Beta  Kappa.  1908. 
Mildred  Guilford — Comedy  Club,  Cercle  Fran^ais. 
Jane   Harris — Phi   Beta   Kappa;    Stylus;    Deutscher   Verein;    Authoress   of 

Junior  Girls'  Play,  1910. 
Beatrice  Hopkins — Wyvern. 
Frances  Hickok — Comedy  Club;  Omega  Phi;  Delta  Sigma  Rho  :  U.  of  M. 

delegates    at    Interstate    Oratorical    Contest    at    Iowa,    ^vinning    second 

place. 
Mary  Hyde — Wyvern. 
Ruth  King — Wyvern. 
Fleeta  Lamb — Deutscher  Verein. 
Edith  Leonard — Junior  Play. 

Irene  McCormick — Cercle  Frangais;  Dramatic  Club. 
Marian  McPherson — Glee  Club;  Wyvern;  Junior  Play;   Class   Prophetess, 

1915;  Chairman  Senior  Girls'  Play. 
Hazel  McCauley — Comedy  Club;  Vice-president  Symphonic  League. 
Adaline   McAllister — Glee   Club  ;    Cercle   Fran9ais. 
Emily  Northrup — Freshman  Spread  Committee;  Junior  Girls'  Play. 
Jessie  Patterson — Deutscher  Verein;  Cercle  Fran9ais. 
Helen  Robson — Glee  Club. 
Margaret  Reynolds — Comedy  Club  ;  Freshman  Spread  Committee ;  Deutscher 

Verein ;  Wyvern ;  Chairman  Junior  Girls'  Play ;  President  of  Women's 

League,  1916-1917. 
Josephine     Randall — Freshman     Spread     Committee ;     Deutscher     Verein ; 

Wyvern;    Mortar    Board;    Glee    Club;    Junior    Play;    President    Pan- 

hellenic;  President  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1916-1917. 
Lois  Spraker — Y.  W.  C.  A.  cabinet. 
Maude    E.    Staiger— il//V/?/>7//    Daily    editorial    staff,    1908-1909;    Gargoyle 

editorial  staff,   1909-1910. 
Beatrice  Stanton — Phi  Beta  Kappa ;  Deutscher  Verein. 
Florence  Scott — Omega  Phi. 

Elmo  Smith — President  of  Symphonic  League,   1914-1915. 
Anne  Thomas — Deutscher  Verein. 
Louise  Van  Voorhis — Junior  Play;  Comedy  Club;  Stylus;  Michigan  Daily 

editorial  staff,   1906-1909;   Gargoyle  editorial  staff,   1909-1910. 


pRoMiNKNT  Members  353 

Sarah  Winter — Deutschcr  Verein. 

Adele    Westbrook — Vice-president    Sophomore    Class ;    Chairman    Freshman 

Spread  Committee;  Comedy  Club;  Junior  Play  Committee. 
Barbara  Wild — Cercle  Fran(;ais ;  Freshman  Spread  Committee. 
Gladys  Whelan — Wyvern  ;  Omega  Phi ;  Masques  ;  Comedy  Club  ;  Glee  Club  ; 

Junior  Play;  V.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet;  Secretary  of  Junior  Class,  1915-1916. 

Iota   Chapter,  Unirersity  of  Illinois 
Imo.  Baker— Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1906;  President  of  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1904. 
Mary  Allison — Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1908;  Fellowship  at  Columbia  University. 
Ruth  Buffum— Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1909. 
Susan  Reed — Phi  Beta  Kappa. 
Bess  Rose — Senior  Memorial  Committee,   1910. 
Frances  Kirkwood — Phi  Beta  Kappa,   1912. 
Elizabeth  M.  Dunn— Phi  Beta  Kappa.  1915. 
Ethel  Todd— Secretary  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1914. 
Frances  Marks — Phi  Delta  Psi  (Honorary  Senior,  Scribblers'' Club.  Woman's 

Society),   1915. 
Gretchen  Gooch — ^Phi  Delta  Psi,  1915;    Secretary  Senior  Class,  1916. 
Mary  Ann  Boyd— Phi  Delta  Psi,  1915. 
Ada  Joseph — Mu  Kappa  Alpha,  1914. 
Florence  Lindahl — President   Sophomore   lllini.    1917. 
Maude  Marks — Mask  and  Bauble    (Dramatic).    1914. 
Otela  Knox — Mask  and  Bauble,  1911. 
Marjorie  June — Secretary  Senior  Class.   1915. 

Kappa   Chapter,   Unirersity   of   W'iseonsin 
Fay  Vaughan — Vice-president  of  Junior  Class  ;   Leading  part  in   The  Road 

to  Yesterday ;  Red  Domino;  Senior  Plav  Committee;   Prize  for  literary 

work  on  Badger  stafif. 
Alma  Slater — Editor-in-chief  of  Coed  Sphinx:  Theta  Sigma  Phi   Honorary 

Journalistic  Fraternity;   Prize  for  literary  work  on  Badger  staff;   Prize 

for  Highest  Score  in  Bowling. 
Edna  Mowre — Staff  of  the  Coed  Sphinx:  Edwin  Booth  Play. 
Margaret  H'Doubler — Senior  Play;  Vice-president  Sophomore  Class:   Bas- 
ketball;   President    Intersorority   Bowling   League;    W.    A.    A. 
Gladys  Morrell— Hockey  2.  3,  4  ;  Basketball  2  ami  3. 
Flora  Knox — French  Play. 
Irma  Hellberg — Junior  Play;  German  Play;   Executive  Committee  of  Ger- 

manistische  Gesellschaft. 
Winifred  Webster — Edwin   Booth   Dramatic   Society,   in   Play;    Reader   for 

L'niversity    Extension    Department:    Reader    for    l^and    and    Orchestra 

Concert. 
May  Jenkins — Senior  Play:  Badger  Board. 
Marguerite  Bower — Junior  Play. 
Hazelle  Listebarger — Girls'  Glee  Club. 


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Promi.nkn'i  Mk.mhkrs  355 

Ann  Kieckhefer — Theta  vSigma  Phi  Journalism  Fraternity;  President.  Secre- 
tary and  'I'reasurer  of  Wisconsin  Panhellenic  Association  ;  Senior  Class 
Committee;  Sophomore  Bowling  Team;  W.  A.  A.;  Junior  Bowling 
and  Basketball  Teams;  Swimming  Honor;  Junior  Hockey  Team;  Coed 
Sphinx  Board;  Reception  Committee  for  all-university  Mixer;  Chair- 
man of  Reception  Committee  for  Panhellenic  Dance ;  Student  Council 
to  Dean  of  Women;  President  Intersorority  Bowling;  Treasurer  of 
Theta  Sigma  Phi. 

Bessie  Rood — Glee  Club  1  and  2  ;  Red  Domino  Dramatic  Clul) ;  Red  Domino 
Plays ;  Vice-president  Sophomore  Class ;  S.  G.  A.  Board ;  Treasurer 
S.  G.  A.;  Judiciary  Committee  S.  G.  A.;  Junior  Play;  Badger  Board; 
Keystone;  Board  of  Trustees  of  Junior  Class;  Mortar  Board;  Chairman 
of  V.  W.  C.  A.  Music  Committee;  Edwin  Booth  and  Red  Domino  Play. 

Ruth  Morris — Bowling  Team  1  and  3,  Swimming  Honors;  Baseball,  1,  2. 
and  3 ;  W.  A.  A. ;  W-Sweater ;  Basketball  2.  3.  and  4  ;  Hockey  2,  3.  4.  5  : 
W.  A.  A.  Executive  Board ;  Badger  Board ;  Senior  Entertainment  Com- 
mittee ;  Mortar  Board ;  Cap  and  Gown  Quartet. 

Lilah  Webster — (lirls'  Glee  Club;  Theta  Sigma  Phi;  Red  Domino;  Sopho- 
more Banquet  Committee ;  Edwin  Booth  Red  Domino  Play. 

Charlotte  Crawford — Girls'  Glee  Club. 

Helen  Murray — Social  Committee  Y.  W.  C.  A. 

Mary  Sayle — Junior  Play;  University  Exposition  Committee;  Fellowship  in 
Zoology;   Graduate  School   Committee. 

Elda  Riggert — Junior  Play  and  Committee  for  Junior  Play. 

Ella  Jones — Phi  Beta  Kappa;  S.   G.  A.   Board;   Senior   Dance  Committee. 

Kadelia  Jevne — Girls'  Glee  Club. 

Hilda  Kieckhefer — Red  Domino. 

Mildred  Caswell — Basketball  Team  1.  3,  and  4;  Tennis  Team  1  ;  Freshman 
Swimming  Team;  Sophomore  Hockey;  Edwin  Booth  Play;  Red  Domi- 
no; Junior  Plav  Committee;  Chairman  of  Publicity — Woman's  Voca- 
tional Conference;  W.  A.  A.;  Junior  Dance  Committee;  Union  Vodvil ; 
Swimming  Assistant;  Senior  Bowling  Team;  Varsity  Bowling  Team; 
Coed  Cardinal :  Coed  Sphinx:  Barnard  Magazine ;  Red  Domino  Play, 
1914;  Senior  Play;  Senior  Ivy-Ode  Orator. 

Ruth  McKennan — -Red  Domino ;  Sophomore  Dance  Committee ;  Union  Vod- 
vil. 

Inez  Boyce — Euthenics  Clul). 

Isabel  Grell — Freshman  Hockey   Team  ;  Basketball  and  Baseball  1  ;  W.  A.  A. 

Esther  Wessinger — Freshman  Track. 

Nina  Westigard — Indoor  and   ( )utdo()r   Basketball  Teams. 

Dorothy  Findorff — Freshman  and  Sophomore  Mixer  Committees. 

Sidney  Oehler — Class  Traditions  Committee;  W.  A.  A.;  Baseball  Team; 
Bowling  Team  1.  4;  Swimming  Honor;  Red  Domino;  Glee  Club: 
Castalia  Literary  Society;  Sophomore  Interclass  Sports  Committee; 
Theta  Sigma  Phi ;  Hockey  Team  2  ;  V.  W.  C.  A.  Vice-president  and 
Membership  Committee;  Vice-president  Junior  Class;  S.  G.  A.   Secre 


356  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

tary;  Editor  of  the  Woman's  Number  of  the  JJ'isroiisin  Magazine; 
Mortar  Board;  Chairman  Woman's  Home-coming;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Nomi- 
nating Committee. 

Rosamund  Crosby — Sophomore  Swimming  Team. 

Olive  Morris — Part  in  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

Floy  Humiston — Baccalaureate  Chorus ;  Choral  Union. 

Esther  Joy  Lawrence — S.  G.  A.  Board. 

Nell   Myers — Junior   Mixer  Committee. 

Louise  Hudson — Circulating   Committee  for  the   Coed   Cardinal. 

Marguerite  Black — Choral  Union. 

Beatrice  Humiston — Red  Domino ;  Edwin  Booth  Red  Domino  Play ;  Union 
Vodvil ;  Sophomore  Committee. 

Myra  Harker — Choral  Union  Girls'  Glee  Club. 

Ruth  Zillman — Freshman  Basketball  Team. 

Doris  Rix — Freshman  Basketball  Squad. 

Ida  May  Rush — Edwin  Booth  Play ;  Red  Domino ;  Sophomore  Banquet 
Committee ;  Junior  Play  ;  Edwin  Booth  Red  Domino  Play ;  Treasurer 
Red  Domino. 

Lambda  Chapter,  Syracuse  University,  Syracuse,  Neiu  York 

Nellie  R.  Minott — Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1908;  Eta  Pi  Upsilon  (Senior  Society), 

1907-1908. 
Olive  Morris — College  Annual:    1917   Onondagan   Board;    Executive   Com- 
mittee  English  Club,    1907  ;    Boar's   Head   Dramatic  Society,    1906-1908. 
Ina  Weyrauch — College  Magazine ;  Assistant  Editor  of  Syracusan,  1909. 
Helen  Cunningham — Treasurer  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1908-1909;  Women's  League 

Proctor,     1908;    Class    Executive    Committee,     1906;     English    Club; 

Teacher   of   Bible   Class,    1909;    Class    Basketball    Team,    1905-1909; 

Territorial  Conference  Y.  W.  C.  A. ;  Silver  Bay  Conference,  1908  ;  Eta 

Pi  Upsilon  (Senior  Society),  1909. 
Ethel  McCoy — Iota  Tau  (Sophomore  Society),  1909;  Territorial  Conference 
Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1909;    Delegate  to  International  Student  Volunteer  Con- 
vention, 1910;    Silver  Bay  Conference,  1908-1910;    Chairman  Missionary 
Committee  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1910-1911. 
Jessie  Lansing — Eta  Pi  Upsilon  (Senior  Society),  1907-1908. 
Stella  Crowell— Extension  Committee  of  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1908-1909;  Executive 

Committee  of  Geology  Club,  1908;  Secretary-treasurer,  1909. 
Ruth  Harlow— Intercollegiate  Committee  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1909-1910;  Eta  Pi 

Upsilon  (Senior  Society),  1909. 
Myra  Jones— Intercollegiate  Committee  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1909-1910;  Glee  Club, 

1909-1910. 
Grace  Young — Membership  Committee  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1909-1910;  Silver  Bay 

Conference,   1909;   Eta  Pi  Upsilon    (Senior  Society),   1910. 
Mary-Emma   Griffith— Bible   Study   Committee  Y.   W.    C.   A.,    1909-1910; 

Women's  League  Proctor,   1909;   Class  Basketball  Squad;   Silver  Bay 

Conference,  1908;  Iota  Tau   (Sophomore  Society),  1908. 


Prominent  Members  357 

Mildred  Moody— Bible  Study  ( "onimittef,  1909-1910;  Teacher  of  Bible 
Study  Class,  1909;  Teacher  of  Mission  Study  Class,  1910. 

Flora  Kaufhold— Finance  Committee  of  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1909-1910  ;  Silver  Bay 
Conference,  1909;  Second  Honor  in  German  Department,  1910. 

Millie  Stebbins — Eta  Pi  Upsilon  (Senior  Society),  1911;  Finance  Committee 
Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1909-1910. 

Ruth  Hutchins — Eta  Pi  Upsilon  (Senior  Society),  1911  ;  Chairman  Religious 
Meetings  ■Committee  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1910-1911. 

Jane  Wood — Winner  of  Third  Prize  in  Women's  League  Song  Contest,  1910. 

Mary  Shafer — Women's   League   Proctor,    1910. 

Harriet  Moore — Philosophical  Club. 

Margaret  Ellenberger— Class  Basketball  Team",  1910;  Glee  Club,  1910; 
Tennis  Champion,  Junior  Class,  1910. 

Martha  Lee — Silver  Bay  Conference,   1908. 

Jessie  Lansing — Eta  Pi  Upsilon   (Senior  Society),   1908. 

Margaret   Nau — Iota  Tau    (Sophomore   Society),    1910;    Glee   Club,    1908. 

Louise  Jewell — Iota  Tau    (Sophomore  Society),    1911. 

Imo  Toms — Boar's  Head  Dramatic  Society,  1909-1910. 

Bessie  Jones — Boar's  Head  Dramatic  Society,  1911;  Eta  Pi  Upsilon. 

Elizabeth  PTlenberger— Iota  Tau  (Sophomore  Society),  1911  ;  Tennis  Cham- 
pion, Sophomore  Class,  1911;  Women's  League  Board,  1913;  Senior 
Class   Tennis    Champion;    Tennis   Championship   of    University,    1913. 

Greta  Gyer— Glee  Club,  1910-1911;  Treasurer,  1910-1911;  Silver  Bay  Con- 
ference, 1910;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet;  Eta  Pi  Upsilon  (Senior  Society), 
1912. 

Edna  Langford— Glee  Club,  1911. 

Norma  Van  Surdam — Glee  Club,  1911;  Pi  Lambda  Sigma  (Honorary 
Library  Fraternity),   1909. 

Margery  Weyrauch— Class  Basketball  Team,  1911-1912-1913-1914;  Iota 
Tau  (Sophomore  Society),  1911;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet  Committee, 
1911-1912;  Treasurer  Women's  Athletic  Governing  Board,  1913-1914; 
Captain  Senior  Basketball,  1914;  Cup-winner  at  Indoor  Track  Meet, 
1913;  Medal  Winner  at  Outdoor  Track  Meet,  1913. 

Alice  King — Pi  Lambda  Sigma  (Library  Fraternity),  1911  ;  Graduated  with 
Honor  from  Library  School. 

Bernice  Taylor— Small  Cabinet  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1913;  Women's  Debate  Club, 
1911  ;  Women's  League  Board,   1913. 

Ruth  Deavor — Sul)-chairman  Membership  Committee  Y.  W.  C.  A.,   1911. 

Emily  Hess — President  of  (ierman  Club,  1914. 

Ruth  Hoople— Silver  Bay  Conference.  1911-1912-1913:  Delegate  to  Student 
Volunteer  Convention  at  Cornell,  1913;  Delegate  to  Quadrennial  Student 
Volunteer  Convention  at  Kansas  City,  1914. 

Alice  Smith — Intercollegiate  Committee  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1913  ;  Kappa  Pi  Sigma. 

Marion  Angel— Class  Basketball  Team,  1912-1913-1914;  Silver  Bay  Con- 
ference, 1913;  Glee  Club,  1912  ;  Small  Cabinet  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1915  ;  Eta 
Pi  Upsilon  (Senior  Society),  1915;  Delegate  to  Y.  W.  C.  A.  State 
Convention  held  at  Buffalo,  1915. 


358  Thk  HisroKN   of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Natalie  Field — Kxtcutive  Committee  of  Senior  Class,  1915. 

Rhea  Mills — Large  Cabinet  Women's  League. 

Dora  Ruland — Eta  Pi  Upsilon  (Senior  Society),  1915;  Large  Cabinet  Y.  W. 
C.  A.,  1915;  Silver  Bay  Conference,  1912;  Treasurer  Women's  League, 
1914;  Tennis  Representative,  1913;  Basketball  Representative,  1914; 
Captain  Sophomore  Basketball  Team,  1912;  Sophomore  Executive  Com- 
mittee, 1912;  Track  Representative,  1915;  Tennis  Championship,  1912; 
Cup-winner  Women's  Athletic  Contest,  1915;  Freshman  Basketball 
Team,   1911. 

Laura  Spooner — University  Chorus,  1911-1912;  Executive  Committee 
Classical  Club,   1913.  \ 

Ethel  Mead— Glee  Club,  1911-1912-1913;  Boar's  Head  Dramatic  Society, 
1913;  Zeta  Phi  Eta  (Oratorical  Fraternity),  1912-1913-1914;  Iota  Tau 
(Sophomore  Society),  1912. 

Agnes  Allchin — Tennis  Championship  of  University  Women,  1915-1916; 
Tennis  Championship  of  Class,  1913-1914-1915-1916;  Glee  Club,  1914; 
Eta  Pi  Upsilon   (Senior  Society),   1915. 

Dorothy  Oakley — Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1916;  Eta  Pi  Upsilon  (Senior  Society), 
1915;  Kappa  Pi  Sigma  (Honorary  Pedagogical  Fraternity),  1915; 
Assistant  Editor  of  The  Orange   (daily  paper)  ;  May  Queen,   1916. 

Beatrice  Oakley — Large  Cabinet  Y.  W.  C.  A.;  Delegate  to  Silver  Bay,  1914. 

Gertrude  Liedtke — Iota  Tau  (Sophomore  Society),  1913;  Track  Repre- 
sentative on  Women's  Athletic  Governing  Board,   1914. 

Beulah  Mider — Class  Executive  Committee,  1913-1914;  Basketball  Sc]uad, 
1912-1913. 

Pauline  Griffith — Vice-president  Consumers'  League,  1915;  Pi  Lambda 
Sigma-  (Library  Fraternity),    1913. 

Hulda  Liljestrand — University  Chorus,  1915-1916. 

Dorothy  Thompson — Kappa  Pi  Sigma  (Honorary  Pedagogical  Fraternity), 
1913-1914;  Delegate  to  Student  Volunteer  Convention,  1913;  Delegate 
to  Silver  Bay,  1913. 

Helen  J.  Arnold — University  Chorus,    1914-1915. 

Ruby  Bentley— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Committee,   1914-1915. 

Ruth  Collins— Glee  Club,  1915-1916. 

Helen  Weyrauch — University  Chorus,  1914-1915;  Composed  Junior  Class 
Song,   1915. 

Mildred  Potter — University  Chorus,  1914-1915-1916;  Freshman  Basketball 
Squad,  1914;  Large  Board  of  Women's  League,  1915-1916:  Senior 
Basketball  Squad,  1916. 

Lucretia  Flansburgh — ^lota  Tau  (Sophomore  Society),  1914;  Class  Execu- 
tive Committee,  1913;  Large  Cabinet  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1916. 

Marion  Duxbury — Junior  Class  Basketball  Squad ;  Track  Representative, 
1916. 

Emma  J.  Axon — Iota  Tau  (Sophomore  Society),  1915. 

Elma  Nau — University  Chorus,  1914-1915;  Pi  Lambda  Sigma  (Honorary 
Library  Fraternity),  1914-1915-1916. 


PROMIXKN  I    Mf.mbkrs  359 

Etta    Smith — Iota    Tau    (Sophomore    Society),    1915;    Circle    Chairman    of 

Freshman  Class,  1914. 
Irene    Schuyler — Sophomore    ()ratorical    Contest.    1916;    Oriini^e    Reporter, 

1915-1916;  Iota  Alpha  Mu   (Junior  Society).  1916. 
Josephine  Meek — Iota  AljjJia   Mu    (Junior  Society),   1915;   Eta  Pi  Upsilon 

(Senior    Society),     1916;    \'ice-president    of    Women's    League,     1916; 

Small  Board  Women's  League,   1915-1916;  Mandolin  Clul).   1915-1916. 
Isobel  Dunkle — President  Fine  Arts  "Modern  Art  Club." 
Clara  Louise  Appleby — University  Chorus,   1914-1915-1916. 
Anita  Wright — Boar's   Head   Dramatic   Society.    1916;    Member  of   Maskers 

(Honorary  Dramatic  Society).   1916. 
Ethel    Hoffman — Member   of    Illustrators'    Club. 
Marion   Stupp — Captain    Class   Basketball   Team,    1916-1917;     Delegate   to 

Student  Volunteer  Convention,  1916;  Sophomore  Track  Manager.  1916. 
Marion  Schwartzman — University  Chorus,   1916. 
Edith  Nash — Iota  Tau   (Sophomore  Society).    1916. 
Favthe  Santway — Class  Basketball  Scjuad.  1916. 

Mu  Chapter.  Si)npsoii  C(>//i\i,u\  Indianola,  Iowa 

Nell  E.  Harris — President  of  Simpson  Music  Club,  two  years  ;  Secretary  of 
Simpson  Conservatory.  1916. 

Carrie  MacFadon— Librarian,  1907-1908;  Cantata  Soloist.  1910;  Secretary 
of  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1906;  President  of  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1907;  Delegate  to 
Nashville  at  National  Convention  of  Student  Volunteers  ;  Delegate  to 
Geneva  at  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Convention ;  President  of  Zetalethean  Literary 
Society. 

Lena  Dalrymple — Zetalethean  Secretary.  1905-1906;  Vice-president  Zeta- 
lethean 1908;  Class  Secretary.  1906-1907;  Assistant  in  German.  1907- 
1908;  A.M.   (Iowa). 

Mayme  Silliman — Secretary  of  Y.  W.  C.  A. ;  Vice-president  of  Y.  W.  C.  A. ; 
Member  of  Champion  Basketball  Team ;  Delegate  to  Y.  W.  C.  A. 
Summer  Conference;  Member  of  Student  Council.  1907-1908:  Consul 
and  Treasurer  of  Zetalethean  Literary  Society. 

Ada  Schimelfenig — Class  Secretary,  1907. 

Mvrtle  Bussey — Simpson  Concert  Company.  1910;  Soloist  in  May  Festivals 
of  Glee  Club ;  Accompanist  for  Elijah  and  Redemption. 

Florence  A.  Armstrong — Champion  Basketball  Team.  1905-1906;  President 
of  Zetalethean  Literary  Society.  1905;  Zetalethean  Play;  Delegate  to 
Geneva  twice;  Treasurer  of  Y.  W.  C.  A..  1905-1906;  Intersociety 
Debate;  President  Radclitle  College  Poetry  Club.  1916;  A.M.  (Rad- 
cliffe). 

Ethel  MacFadon — (Uee  Club.  1909-191  1  ;  Soloist  in  Creation,  1906.  Messiah, 
1907,  St.  Paul,  1908,  S-uuin  and  Skyland.  1909,  Aida,  1910  ;  Junior  Class 
Play,  1909;  Secretary  V.  W.  C.  A..  1909;  Zenith  Board.  1910. 

Margaret  Schimelfenig — Vice-president  \'.  W.  C.  A.,  1909  ;  Delegate  to 
Geneva;  Annual  College  Honors.   1908-1909. 


360  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Fernandez  A.  Ogg — Assistant  in  English.  1907-08;  Roman  Oratorical  Con- 
test, 1908. 

Lois  Smith — Assistant  in  German,  1904-1905;  Senior  Play  Committee. 

Carrie  McBride — Secretary  of  Glee  Club,  1910;  Instructor  in  Voice,  1910- 
1911. 

Ethel  Mott — Champion  Basketball  Team  Captain,  1907. 

Mabel  Fett — Conservatory  Accompanist,  1907;  College  Council,  1907;  Presi- 
dent of  Championship  Glee  Club.  1911-1912;  Piano  Soloist  of  Glee 
Club. 

Mildred  MacFadon — Secretary  of  Class,  1907-1908;  Zetalethean  Consul, 
1910-1911;  Zetalethean  Critic.  1911-1912;  Zetalethean  Membership 
Committee;  Zenith  Board,  1910;  "Queen  of  the  Lists."  1910;  "Portia" 
in  Senior  Play,  1912;  "Beatrice"  in  Senior  Play,  1912;  Secretary  Glee 
Club,  1910-1911;   Secretary  Oratorio  Society,   1909. 

Myrtle  Schimelfenig— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1909-1910;  Student  Council. 
1909-1910:  Zenith  Board.  1911:  Annual  Scholarship  Honors,  1908- 
1910. 

Grace  Ogg — College  Debating  Team :  Annual  Scholarship  Honors,  1908- 
1909. 

Besse  Snell — Student  Council,   1909. 

Leila  Watson — Vice-president  of  Alpian.  1909. 

Carrie  McBride — Instructor  in  Voice.  1910-1911:  President  of  Glee  Club; 
Glee  Club  Manager. 

Georgia  Watson — Secretary  of  Student  Council.  1908-1909;  Freshman  Play; 
Alpian  Play ;  Glee  Club. 

Grace  Dre\v — Contralto  Soloist  of  Glee  Club. 

Orace  Thomas— Zt';»Y/z  Board,   1910-1911. 

Ina  Morley — Class  Secretary.  1910-1911;  Freshman  Play:  Sophomore  Play; 
"Elaine"  in  Launeelot  and  Loraine  Pageant ;  Glee  Club  ;  Student  Coun- 
cil, 1910-1911;  Part  in  two  Zetalethean  Literary  Society  Musical 
Comedies;  President  of  Zetalethean,  1914;  Senior  Basketball,  1914- 
1915;  Secretary  of  Forensic  League.  1914-1915;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet, 
1914-1915;  Junior  Class  Play,   1914. 

Edith  Berdina  Hughes — Secretary  Glee  Club.  1910-1911  ;  Solo  part  in  Can- 
tata Ruth;  Glee  Club  Contest.  1911  ;  Assistant  Dean  of  Women,  1910- 
1911. 

Kathryn  Vollmar — Vice-president  Glee  Club.  1910-1911;  Accompanist  for 
Glee  Club,  1911-1912;  Student  Council.  1910-1912;  President  of  Music 
Club,  1910-1912. 

Mary  Shaw — Alpian  Literary  Society  Debate  Team,  1910;  Freshman  Debate 
Team,  1910;  Annual  Honors.  1910-1911,  1911-1912;  Alpian  Play, 
1911;  Editor  of  College  Annual.  1912-1913;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1912- 
1913-1914;  Alpian  Debate  Team.  1912,  1913;  Alpian  President,  1914; 
College  Council,   1912-1913. 

Lida  Tennant — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1910-1911;  Buxton  Oratorical  Prize; 
Zetalethean  Critic,  1911-1912  ;  Simpsonian  Staff,  191 1-1912  ;  Y.  W.  C.  A. 


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362  TiiK  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

President,    1914-1915:    Intercollegiate    Debate,    1910-1911,    1913-1914, 

1914-1915;    Zetalethean    President,    1915;    Annual    and    Departmental 
Honors,   1914-1915. 
Grace  Vollmar— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Vice-president,  1913-1914;  Treasurer  of  Zeta- 
lethean,  1913-1914;   President  of  Mecca\vees    (Girls'  Athletic  Society), 

1913-1914. 
Anna  Egli— President  of  Glee  Club,  1913-1914;  Junior  Play. 
Grace   Van    Vlack— Y.    W.    C.    A.    Cabinet,    1912-1913-1914;    Intersociety 

Debate  (Zetalethean),  1911-1912-1913;  Intercollegiate  Debate,  1914. 
Alberta  Fox — Associate   Editor  of  Zenith    Board,    1913-1914;   President  of 
Alpian  Literary  Society;  Athletic  "S"  in  Basketball,  1915;  President  of 

Classical  Seminar;  Vice-president  of  Meccawees,  1914-1915  ;  In  Classical 

Play,  The  Captives. 
Emma  Harned — Junior   Play;   Alpian   Play,    1909,    1912;   Annual   Honors, 

1911-1912. 
Florence  Ros.s — Junior  Play,   1913;  SuperYisor  Public  School  Music,   1914- 

1915. 
Mary  Bradford — Leading  Lady  in  Dramatic  Club ;  Sophomore  Play ;  Secre- 
tary of  Scientific  Association. 
Irene  HarYey— Ze«/M  Board,  1912-1913;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,   1910-1911- 

1912-1913;  Won  West  Oratorical  Contest,  1912;  Intersociety  (Alpian) 

Oratorical    Contest,    1912;    Intersociety    Debate,    1913;    Intercollegiate 

Debate,  1914;  Simpsonian  Staff,  1913-1914. 
Eleanor  Jones — Intersociety  (Zetalethean)   Debate,  1914;  Honors  in  Ethics, 

1914-1915;  Athletic  "S"  in  basketball,  1913-1914;  1914-1915. 
Nina  King— College  Zenith  Board,  1913-1914;  Class  Basketball. 
Bernice    Haseltine— English    Seminar,    1912-1914;    College    Annual    Board, 

1912-1913;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,   1911-1914;  Alpian  President,   1913; 

Intercollegiate  Debate,  1914. 
Regna   King — Intercollegiate    Debate,    1913-1914;    Class    Basketball,    1913- 

1915;  Intersociety  Debate,  1913-1914;  Senior  Play,  1916;  President  of 

Forensic  League,  1915-1916. 
Margaret  Wright— Student  Council,  1912-1913;  Annual  Honors,  1913-1914; 

Class  Basketball,  1913-1914. 
Edna  Jepsen — Junior  Play ;   Freshman  Play. 
Julia  Watson — Class  basketball. 
Vera  Schofield — Chorister  of  Alpian. 
Norma  Agan — Senior  Play. 
Mildred  Mott— Reader  for  Glee  Club,  1913-1915  ;  First  Prize  in  "Glee  Club 

Write-up"  Contest;  Girls'  Simpsonian  Staff;  Secretary  of  Y.  W.  C.  A., 

1913-1914;  Zenith  Board,  1916. 
Leah  Brown — Student  Council. 
Elizabeth  King — Intersociety  debate,  1915. 
Vera  L.  Merritt — Fraternity  Editor  of  Zenith.  1915-1916. 
Phyllis  Marie  Phillips — Treasurer  of  Simpson  Orchestra.      "Flora"  in  Greek 

Pageant;  First  Violinist  in  College  Orchestra,  1915-1916. 


Prominent  Members  363 

Ethfcl  Lyman — First  Violinist  in  College  Orchestra,   1914-1915. 

Elsie  Boss — V.  W.  C.  A.  Missionary  Committee. 

Mildr.ed  Keniicdv— Class  Editor  of  Zeuith.  1915-1916. 

Ethel   Shaw— V.'  W.   C.  A.   President,   1916-1917;   Student  Council,    1915- 

1916;  Forensic  League,  1915-1916. 
Florence    Currier — Manager   of    Y.    W.    C.    A.    Geneva    Club,    1916-1917; 

Woman's  "S"   Club,   1915-1916. 
Minnie  Murphy— Intersociety    (Alpian)    Debate,   1914-1915-1916. 
Nev^a  Hardy — Oratorical  Contest   (Alpian),  1915. 
Grace  Dryden — Accompanist  for  Operas,   1915-1916. 
Fannie  Pickard — President  Alpian  Literary  Society,  1915;  Simpsonian  Staff, 

1915-1916;  Editor  Girls'  Simpsonian,  1916;  Senior  Class  Play,   1916; 

Class   Basketball,    1912-1913-1914-1915. 
Ruth    Jackson— Student    Council.    1915-1916;    Woman's    "S"    Club,    1915; 

Sophomore  Basketball   Team,  1915-1916;  College  Honors.  1916. 
Nellaby  Finney — Leading  part  in  Pirates  of  Penzanse. 

O micron  Chapter,  Baker  University.  Baldwin.  Kansas 

Edith  Biddeau — Student  Council ;   Bohemian  Girl. 
Mrs.  Clyde  Coffman — Junior  Play. 

Blanche  Davenport  Johnson — President  Y.  W.  C.  A. ;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet. 

Ivy  Riley  Farrar — College  Delegate  to  International  Convention  of  Student 

Volunteer  Association,   Nashville,  Tennessee;    President   V.   \V.   C.   A.; 

Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet. 
Zula  Green — Junior  Play. 
Ethel  Kregar — Student  Council ;  In  operas. 

Laura  Nicholson  McWilliams — President  of  Clio  Literary  Society. 
Evelyn  (iould  Odom — President  of  Clio  Literary  Society. 
Oma  Smith  Cooke — Junior  Play. 

Cora  Ault — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet;   President  of  Clio;  Honorary  Fraternity. 
P^thel  Ault — President  of  Clio;  Junior  Play. 
Beatrice  Fast  Ransom — Student  Council ;  Honorary  Fraternity. 
Ethel   Meyers — Student  Council. 
Jennie  Osborne — President  of   Clio. 
Ina  Steward — Treasurer  of  \ .  \\ .  C.  A.  ;   Secretary  of  V.  W.  C.  A.  ;    President 

of  Clio. 
Anna  Church  Colley — President  of  Clio;  Secretary  of  Y.  W.  C.  A. 
Mary  Anderson — President  of  Y.  W.  C.  A. 
Verna  Oeker — First  Place  in  Neff  Prize. 
Katharine  Kester — Manager  of  Clio  play. 
Helen  Anderson — First  Place  in  Neff  Prize  Contest  ;  Greek  Play  ;  Y.  W.  C.  A. 

Cabinet ;  Honorary  Fraternity. 
Ruth  Benham— President  of  W.  S.  ( ).  A.  :  Junior  Play;  Y.  W.  C.  .\.  Cabinet. 
Ruth  Roseberry — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet, 
firace  Fitzgerald — Junior  Play. 
Gertrude  Hedge — Junior  Play. 


364  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Mary  Fay  Brown — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet;  Junior  Play.  • 

Hazel  McClure— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet. 

Lyda  Houston — Student  Council. 

Flora  Kraft— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet. 

Geneva  Benjamin — Yice-president  Y.  W.  C.  A.  :  President  Clio. 

Vera  Payton — President  of  Clio;  President  of  W.  O.  A.;  President  French 

Club. 
Mary  Smith— President  of  Clio ;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet. 
Opal  Williams — First  Place  in  Nefif  Prize;  Student  Council. 

Pi  Chapter,   University   of  California.  Berkeley,   California 

Dorothy   Burdorf — Phi   Beta   Kappa. 

Elsie  Williams — President  Women's  Orchestra,  1910-1911. 

Fern  Enos — Prytanean  Honor  Society.  1911;  Senior  Advisory  Committee; 
Women's  Day  Pelican  Assistant. 

Margeret  Creighton — President  Women's  Orchestra,  1911-1912. 

Gertrude   Rice — Sophomore    Election   Committee   for  Blue  and   Gold  Staff. 

Gladys  Bartlett — Treble  Clef  ;   Senior  Advisory  Committee. 

Ethel  Jordan — Business  Manager  Woman's  Day  Occident ;  President  Senior 
Women;  Prytanean  Honor  Society;  Chairman  Senior  Women's  Hall; 
President  University  Branch  of  Equal  Suffrage  League. 

Mildred  Jordan — Assistant  Woman's  Day  Occident;  Prytanean  Honor  Soci- 
ety; Senior  Advisory  Committee;  Blue  and  Gold  Staff,   1912. 

Katherine  Asher  (Epsilon) — Prytanean  Honor  Society;  Captain  of  Basket- 
ball Team,   1910-1911;   Senior  Advisory  Committee. 

Fay  Frisbie — Assistant  Woman's  Day  Occident;  Associate  Editor  Blue  a?id 
Gold,  1913;  Junior-Senior  Advisory  Committee;  Treble  Clef;  Prytanean 
Honor  Society;  Welfare  Committee;  Chief  Proctor  of  Senior  Women's 
Hall ;  Beta  Kappa  Alpha  Honor  Society. 

Kathleen  Kerr — Senior  Advisory  Committee. 

Elsie  Stoddard — Senior  Advisory  Committee. 

Minerva  Osborn — Blue  and  Gold  Managerial  Staff,  1912;  Captain  Senior 
Advisory  Committee ;  Student  Welfare  Committee. 

Frances  Jacklin — Varsity  Tennis  Team,  1912,  1913;  Captain  Varsity 
Basketball  Team,  1912,  1913;  Class  Champion  in  Tennis.  1912. 

Leigh  Stafford — Prytanean  Honor  Society ;  Mask  and  Dagger  Dramatic 
Society ;  English  Club ;  Vice-president  Associated  Women  Students, 
1910-1911;  Senior  Advisory  Board.  1910-1911;  Leading  Role,  CEdipus 
Tyrranus,  Mary  Stuart,  Winter's  Tale,  Junior  Farce ;  Chairman  Senior 
Building  Committee. 
Florence  Cook— Treble  Clef,  1912. 
Hazel    Pfitzer — Junior-senior    Advisory    Committee,    1913-1915;    Chairman 

Associated  Women  Students'  Election  Board. 
Leila  Nielson— Treble  Clef,  1912  ;   Mandolin  and  Guitar  Club,  1912. 
Lucile  Batdorf — Prytanean  Honor  Society,   1915;  Chairman  Welfare  Com- 
mittee, 1915. 


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366  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Eugenia  McCabe — Captain  Senior  Advisory  Committee,  1915. 

Portia  Collom— Treble  Clef,  1912. 

Frieda  Hofmann — Treble  Clef,  1913. 

Leona  Young — Alchemia  (Chemistry  Honor  Society),  1912;  Junior  Women's 

Tennis  Champion,  1913-1914;  Intersorority  Tennis  Doubles  Champion, 

1914:  V.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1914-1915. 
Fern  Wildey— Treble  Clef,  1913. 
Ruth    Burr^Alchemia    (Chemistry    Honor    Society),    1913;    Y.    W.    C.    A. 

Cabinet,  1913-1914;  Senior  Advisory  Committee,  1914-1915. 
Mildred  Lantz — Senior  Advisory  Committee,  1914-1915;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Social 

Chairman. 
Ruth  Crandall— Treble  Clef,  1913. 
Eve    McCabe — Alchemia    (Chemistry    Honorary    Society),    1914;    Secretary 

Associated  Women  Students,  1915. 
Bertha     Galloway — Mandolin     Club ;     Vice-president     Associated     Women 

Students,  1916-1917;  Role  "Calpurnia"  in  Julius  Ccesar,  English  Club 

Play,   1916. 
Louise  Keen — Social  Chairman  Y.  W.  C.  A.,   1915-1916;  Treasurer  Y.  W. 

C.  A.,  1916-1917  ;  Captain  Senior  Advisory  Committee,  1916;  Prytanean 

Honor  Society,  1916. 
Hazel  Murray— Treble  Clef,  1915. 
Katherine   Crossley — French    Honor   Society;    Charter    Member   of   "Cercle 

Frangais." 
Esther    Kittredge — Alchemia    (Chemistry    Honor    Society),    1914;    Woman 

Editor    Daily    Calif ornian .    1915;     Istic    Club     (Women's    Journalistic 

Society) . 
Doris  McEntyre — Leading  Roles  Julius  Ca-sar.  Parthenia,  1916;  Cast  Junior 

Farce  ;  Junior  Advisory  Committee ;  Captain  Senior  Advisory  Committee. 
Penelope  McEntyre — Associated  Women  Students'  Committee  for  Revision  of 

Constitution  ;  Junior  Advisory  Committee. 
Marjorie  Atsatt — Prytanean  Honor  Society,   1915;   President  Y.   W.   C.  A., 

1915-1916;  Welfare  Committee,   1915-1916. 
Mary  Lee— (Epsilon)  Manager  of  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Paper,  1916-1917. 
Gladys  Windham — Associate  Editor  Daily  Calif ornian,  1915-1916;  Woman 

News  Editor,    1916-1917;    Istic   Club    (Women's  Journalistic   Society), 

1916. 
Edith  Meyer — Women's  Varsity  Crew,    1916-1917. 
Lodema  Shurtleff — Senior  Advisory  Committee. 

Rho  Chapter.  University  of  ]J'asliiiii;toii .  Seattle.  Washington 

Vera  Cogswell  Rogers— Deutscher  Verein,   1907-1910;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Social 

Committee.  1909.  ' 

Ethel  Jones — Basketball  Team,  1910. 
Emily' Rogers— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Social  Committee,   1909-1910-1911;   Chairman 

of  Women's  League  Executive  Committee.  1910-1911. 


Prominent  Members  367 

Edith  Greenberg — Amateur  Night  Cast,  1909  ;  V.  W.  C.  A.  Finance  Com- 
mittee, 1910;  Junior  Representative  Women's  League  Executive  Com- 
mittee, 1910. 

Gretchen  O'Donnell  Starr — Captain  Champion  Crew,  1909-1910;  Country- 
Fair  Committee,  1909-1910;  Coach  of  Women's  Rowing,  1910;  Cham- 
pion Hockey  Team,  1910-1911-1912;  Champion  Basketball  Team, 
1910-1912;  Associate  Editor  of  Tycc,  1911;  Vice-president  Women's 
League,  1911;  Junior  Day  Committee.  1911;  President  Spanish  Club, 
1911  ;  Associate  EcHtor  Junior  Daily.  1910;  Mocking  Bird  Cast,  1912; 
Women's  "W." 

Edith  Hindman— Secretary  Pharmacy  Club.  1908-1909;  V.  W.  C.  A.  Social 
Committee,  1908-1909;  Sigma  Xi ;  Iota  Sigma  Pi. 

Theodora  Maltbie  Collins— Band,  1909;  Mozart  Club,  1909;  Orchestra, 
1910;  Associate  Editor  of  Tyee,  1910-1911. 

Marjorie  Harkins — Champion  Hockey  Team.  1910-1911;  Champion  Crew, 
1910-1911  ;  Champion  Basketball  Team.  1910-1911-1912;  Mikado  Cast; 
Women's  "W." 

Jennie  Rogers  Cole — Pharmacy  Club;  Campus  Day  Committee.  1910; 
Y.  W.  C.  A.  Social  Committee,  1910. 

Gertrude  Niedergesaess  Bryce — Phi  Beta  Kappa. 

Bess  Storch— Champion  Crew,   1909-1910-1911. 

Hazel  Learned  Sherrick — Captain  of  Crew,  1910;  Sophomore  Representative 
of  Women's  League,  1910-1911;  Hockey  Team.  1910-1911;  Captain 
Basketball  Team,  1910;  Basketball  Team.  1910-1911;  Secretary 
Women's  Athletic  Association.  1911;  Junior  Representative  Board  of 
Control,  1910-1911  ;  Women's  "W"  ;  President  Junior  Girls'  Club;  Tolo 
Club. 

Minnie  McGinnis  Shinn— Crew.  1908-1909. 

Linna  Paulev  Smith — V.  W\  C.  A.  Membership  Committee,  1911;  Hockey 
Team,  1911. 

Agnes  Hobi— Dramatic  Club;  Hockey  Team.  1911-1912-1913;  Basketball 
Team,  1911-1913;  Captain  Junior  Hockey  Team.  1913;  Chairman 
Dramatic  Club  Play  Committee;  Lottery  Man  Cast;  Dawn  of  Tomorrow 
Cast ;  Red  Domino ;  Dramatic  Club  Skit ;  Melting  Pot  Cast. 

Alice  Anderson — University  Daily  Staff.  1911  ;  President  Junior  Girls'  Club; 
Senior  Representative  on  Women's  League  Executive  Board  ;  Tolo  Club. 

Edna  Pusey — College  Musical  Recital ;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Finance  Committee ; 
Mocking  Bird  Cast;  Chairman  V.  W.  C.  A.  Student  Volunteer  Con- 
vention, 1914. 

Myrtle  Harrison — Cajjtain  Sophomore  Hockey  Team.  1912-1913;  Basket- 
ball Team.  1912  ;  Iota  Sigma  Pi ;  Secretary  Iota  Sigma  Pi. 

Dora  Fredson— Baseball  Team,  1913;  Basketball  Team,  1914-1915. 

Grace  Anderson— Baseball  Team,  1912-1913;  Hockey  Team,  1912-1913; 
Women's  Athletic  Association. 

Donna  Brainerd — Y.  W^  C.  A.  Finance  Committee. 

May  Ottesen — Vice-president  Pharmacy  Club.  1914. 


368  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Inez  Crippen — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Social  Service  Committee ;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Vesper 

Service  Committee.  1916;  Chairman  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Restroom  Committee. 
May  Burke— Basketball  Team,  1912-1913. 
Laura   Olschewsky   White — Hockey   Team,    1912;    Basketball   Team,    1912- 

1913. 
Alma  Kittilsby — Crew,   1912-1913;   University  Daily  Staff;  Princess  Bonnie 

Cast. 
Arlie  Anderson — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Visitation  Committee,   1915-1916;   President 

Tolo  Club. 
Maida  Crippen — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Finance  Committee ;  President  English  Club, 

1916;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Social  Committee,  1915. 
Dea  Imel — Crew,  1915. 
Charlotte  Wright— Basketball  Team.  1913-1914-1915;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Finance 

Committee,  1914;  Crew,  1916. 
Gudrun    Kittilsby— Basketball   Team,    1913-1914-1915;    Varsity    Basketball 

Team,  1913-1914. 
Margaret  Wilson — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Missionary  Committee,  1914. 
Winifred   Larrison — University  Daily   Staff,    1915-1916;    Secretary   English 

Club,  1915. 
Helen  Stewart— English  Club  Play;  Mask  and  Quill;  Baseball  Team,  1916. 
Goldine  Umbarger — Hockey  Team,  1915. 

Sigma  Chapter,  University  of  Iowa,  loiva  City,  loiva 

Marie  Bateman — Staff  and  Circle,  1912  (Honorary  Society  for  Senior  Girls)  ; 

Readers'  Club;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet. 
Myrtle  Moore — President  Girls'  Glee  Club;  Choral  Society;  Musical  Editor, 

Hawkeye;   Soloist  at   University  Band   Concert,    1911. 
Grace  Overholt — Erodelphian  Literary  Society. 
Bertha  Reichert — President  Hesperian  Literary  Society;   Greater  University 

Committee;  Readers'  Club;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet. 
Ina  Scherrebeck— Phi  Beta  Kappa,   1909;  Y.  W.  C.  A.   Cabinet;   General 

Secretary  of  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1910-1912. 
Nina    Shaffer — President    Iowa    City    Library    Club;    Hesperian    Literary 

Society;  Cosmopolitan  Club. 
Mae  Williamson— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet;  Dramatic  Club,  1911-1912. 
Margaret  Kane — Secretary  of  Polygon,  1912. 
Alice  Rogers — President  of  Staff  and  Circle,   1913;   President  of  Hesperia, 

1913;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1912. 
Florence  Cook — Senior  Class  Play,  1912. 
May  MacElroy — University  orchestra. 

Lena  Dalrymple   (Mu) — Accompanist  Glee  Club,   1911-1912. 
Bess   Martin — Phi   Beta    Kappa;    President   Erodelphian    Literary    Society; 

Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet;  Staff  and  Circle,  1913. 
Janette  Royal — Staff  and  Circle,  1915;  Erodelphian  President,  1915;  Y.  W. 

C.  A.  Cabinet. 
Agnes  Flannagan — Graduate  recital,  1912. 


Prominent  Members 


369 


Ruth  Gundcrson — President  of  Staff  and  Circle,  1914;  Vice-president  of 
Erodelphian  Society,  1913;  V.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1913;  President  of 
Women's  League,  1913-1914. 

Hazelle  Listebarger — Girls'   Minstrel;   Creek   Play. 

Naomi  Gunderson — President  of  Staff  and  Circle,  1915;  President  of  Pan- 
hellenic,   1915;   Polygon  Literary  Society. 

Edna  Stark — Pandean  Players  (Dramatic  Club). 

Pauline  Peters— Greek  Play,  1913. 

Ruth  Daniel — Pandean  Players. 

Mav  Brinkman — Pandean  Plavers. 


Nina  Shaffer,  Sigma 
University    Librarian 


Mabel  Elwood — Marshall  Law   (Honorary  Law  Society). 

Mary  Gates — President  of  (ieneva  Club. 

Dorothea  Paule— Staff  and  Circle.   1916-1917;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,   1916. 

Katharine   Dignan — Staff"  and   Circle,    1916-1917;   President   of   Hesperian, 

1916. 
Mary  Stuart  Isett — (ireek  Play.   1915. 
Erla  Messerli — President  Hesperian.  1915;  Greek  Play. 
Florence  Messerli — Polygon. 
Gladys    Kirk — University    Players;    Secretary    of    Octave    Thanet    Literary 

Society. 
Marie  Hauck — Polygon. 
Grace  Roberts — President  of  Towa  Women's  Athletic  Association. 


370  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

Tail  Chapter.  Bn-nau  College.  Gahics7'illc,  Georgia 

Montine  Alford— (Jrand  C'ouiuil,  1911-1912. 

Willie  Hamilton— (Jrancl  Council,   1911-1912. 

Iler  King— President  Cushman  Club,  1912-1913;  Grand  Council,  1911-1913. 

Faye  McGee— Grand  Council.  1911-1913. 

Constance  Miller — Vice-president  Northern  Club.  1910;  Vice-president 
Brenau  Choral  Society,  1910. 

Opal  Overpack — Grand  Council,  1910-1912;  Executive  Committee  of 
Orpheus  Club,  1911-1912. 

Emma  Partlow- — (irand  Council,  1909-1911. 

lona  Peterman — Executive  Committee  Orpheus.  1910-1913;  Class  Editor, 
1911-1913;  Grand  Council,  1911-1913;  Assistant  Piano  Teacher,  1913- 
1914;  Piano  Teacher  and  Assistant  Pipe-organ  Teacher,  1914-1915, 
1916-1917;  Pipe  Director,  1915-1916;  Member  of  Mu  Epsilon,  1915- 
1916. 

Jurelle  Little — President  Sophomore  Class,  1912;  Member  of  Y.  W.  C.  A. 
Cabinet,  1913-1915:  Business  Manager  of  Annual,  1912-1913;  Business 
Manager  of  Journal,  1912-1913;  Executive  Committee  Grand  Council, 
1913-1915;  President  Junior  Class,  1913-1914;  Assistant  Editor  of 
Journal,  1913-1914;  President  Phi  Beta  Sigma,  1914-1915;  President 
Panhellenic,  1914-1915;  Editor-in-chief  of  Annual,  1914-1915. 

Lucy  Basset — Vice-president  (irand  Council,  1913  ;  Member  of  Executive 
Committee  of  Grand  Council,  1915  ;  Exchange  Editor  of  Journal,  1914- 
1915. 

Laura  Harris — Grand  Council,  1912-1915  ;  Member  of  Executive  Committee 
of  Grand  Council,  1914;  Vice-president  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1913-1914;  Sec- 
retary Athletic  Association,  1912-1913;  President  Literary  Societv,  1913- 
1914;  Editor-in-chief  of  Journal,  1913-1914;  Vice-president  of  Phi 
Beta  Sigma,   1913-1914;   President   Philomathesian   Society,    1914-1915. 

Mae  Saunders— Grand  Council,  1914-1915. 

Harriett  Watson — Business  Manager  Annual,  1914-1915  ;  President  Domestic 
Science   Department,    1914-1915. 

Lee  Cheney — Member  of  the  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1915-1916;  Literary 
Editor  of  Annual,  1915-1916;  President  Honor  Board,  1915-1916; 
Grand  Council,  1915-1917;  Elected  Phi  Beta  Sigina,  1916;  President 
Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1916-1917  ;  Board  of  Managers  of  Alchemist.  1915-1916; 
Executive  Committee  of  Grand  Council,  1916-1917. 

Rubye  McCjaughey — Grand  Council,  1915-1917;  Treasurer  Honor  Board, 
1915;  President  Grand  Council,  1915-1916;  Assistant  Piano  Teacher, 
1915;  Board  of  Managers  of  Alchemist.  1915-1916;  President  of  Mu 
Epsilon,   1916. 

Evelyn  Du  Bose — Exchange  Editor  of  Journal.  1915-1916;  Vice-president 
of  Senior  Class,  1916-1917. 

Marion  Pruitt — Grand  Council,  1915-1916;  Treasurer  and  Secretary  of 
Senior  Class,  1915-1916. 

Eunice  Sheffield— Art  Editor  of  Annual,  1914-1915. 


Prominent  Members  371 

Vida  Wheeler — Treasurer  of  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1915;  President  (jf  Freshman 
Class,  1914-1915. 

Nina  Beck— Grand  Council,  1914-1915. 

Klizabeth  Adams — Vice-president  of  Freshman  Class,  1915-1916;  Grand 
Council,  1916-1917  ;  Reporter  on  Alchemist  Stafif,  1916-1917;  Editor  of 
Sophomore  Class,  1916-1917. 

Susie  Bethune — Member  of  Mu  Epsilon,  1915-1917. 

Margaret  Brister — Grand  Council,   1915-1917. 

Virginia  Brister — Editor  of  Freshman  Class,  1915-1916;  President  of  Sopho- 
more Class,  1916-1917. 

Louise  Carson — Grand  Council.  1915-1917  ;  Member  of  Executive  Committee 
of  Students'  Union,  1916-1917;  Editor  of  Alchemist,  1916-1917;  Mem- 
ber of  Executive  Committee  of  Grand  Council,  1916-1917;  President 
of  Honor  Board,  1916-1917. 

Lucile  Hattaway — President  Junior  Class,  1915-1916;  President  Senior 
Class,  1916-1917. 

Velma  Smith — Member  of  Mu  Epsilon. 

Louise  White — President  Town  Girls'  Association,  1915-1916;  Member  of 
Phi  Beta  Sigma,  1915-1917. 

Christine  Edwards — Assistant  Editor  of  the  Journal,  1916-1917  :  Member  of 
Zeta  Phi  Eta,  1916;  Secretary  of  Honor  Board,  1916-1917. 

Upsilon  Chapter,  James  Millikin   University,  Decatur,  Illinois 

Kappa  Society  is  the  High  Honor  Society  in  James  Millikin  University, 

and  only  those  having  an  average  of  92  or  over  are  eligible.     Upsilon's  list 

of  Kappas  includes:  Flora  E.  Ross,  Effie  Morgan,  Laura  Kriege,  Ada  Ross, 

and  Fay  Fisher. 

Fay  Lynton  Fisher — Editor-in-chief  of  1914  Millidek;  Winner  of  Milli- 
kin Club  Oratorical  Medal  and  Illinois  Equal  Suffrage  Association 
Oratorical  Prize,  1913. 

Laura  Olivia  Kriege — President  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  1912,  1913  ;  President  Deutscher 
Verein,    1910-1911;    Editor-in-chief    1913  Millidek. 

Marv  Pinnell — Girls'  Glee  Club,  1911-1913;  President  Domestic  Science 
Club,  1915. 

Lelia  Haggett— President  Art  Club,   1914-1915. 

Rowena  Bell  Hudson — Vice-president  Junior  Class,  1913-1914;  Winner 
Intersociety  Contest  Story,  1913;  Class  Ivy  Orator,  1916. 

Ada  Ross — President  Pi  Mu  Theta,  1915-1916;  Member  Student  Council. 

Martha  Redmon — Winner  Freshman-Sophomore  Contest  Reading,   1914. 

Louise  Parks — President  Domestic  Economy  Club,  1916;  A  Winner  of 
Girls'  Interclass  Tennis  Doubles,  1916. 

Frieda  Smith — President  Sophomore  Class,  1916  ;  Member  of  Student  Council. 

Mary  Redmon — Dandelion  Queen. 


372  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  (^mega  Fraternity 

Phi  Chapter.   Uni'i'crsity  of  Kansas.  Lawrence .  Kansas 

Elizabeth  Flecson — Scholarship  University  of  Illinois,  1914-1915;  Athletic 
Board,  1913;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1912;  W.  S.  G.  A.,  1912;  Sigma 
Xi,  1915. 

Claribel    Lupton— Torch,    1912-1913;    President   W.    S.    G.   A.,    1912-1913. 

Rachel   Baumgartner — Scholarship    University   of    Illinois,    1914-1915-1916. 

Ottie  McNeal— Quill  Club.  1912,  Theta  Sigma  Phi,  1912. 

Winona  McCoskrie— Secretary  Law  Class,  1910-1911-1912-1913;  Jurispru- 
dence Club,   1912-1913;   May  Queen,   1912-1913. 

Marie  Nelson— Quill  Club,  1913. 

Helen  Stout— Glee  Club,  1913. 

Leonora  Jennings — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet. 

Zetha  Hammer — Editor  Daily  Kansan,  1916;  Theta  Sigma  Phi. 

Josephine  Stimpson — Vice-president  Fine  Arts,  1915. 

Mary  Nicholson— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,   1915-1916. 

Maureen  McKernan — Theta  Sigma  Phi;  Kansas  Board;  Secretary  W.  S. 
G.  A.,  1916;  Leading  role  senior  play,  1916;  Dramatic  Club.  1916; 
Quill  Club,  1916.        ' 

Agnes  Hertzler — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1916;  Big  Sister  chairman,  1916. 

Ethel  Ulrich — Torch,  1914-1915;  Pi  Gamma  Sigma. 

Elizabeth  Ulrich — Vice-president  W.  S.  G.  A.,  1916;  Chairman  Commence- 
ment  Committee,    1916. 

Gertrude  LaCoss — On  Cast  Chimes  of  Norniandx .  1915. 

Isabel  Searles— Delta  Phi  Delta,   1915-1916. 

Josephine  Jaqua — Phi  Beta  Kappa,  1915;  Pi  Gamma  Sigma  Torch.  1915; 
Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1913-1914-1915. 

Salome  Langmade — In  Cast  Chimes  of  Normandy ;  College  Play.   1915. 

Jane  Weaver— Quill  Club,  1915;  Dramatic  Club,  1915. 

Bess  Murphy — Dramatic  Club,  1915  ;  Quill  Club. 

Margaret  McElvain — Theta  Sigma  Phi,  1915-1916;  Treasurer  Senior  Class, 
1916. 

Alice  Bowlby— Theta  Sigma   Phi,    1915-1916;   Kansan   Board,    1916. 

Lena  Pittenger — In  Cast,  Chimes  of  Normandy. 

Chi  Chapter,  Oregon  Agricultural  College,  Corvallis,  Oregon 

Grace  Kinnison — Assistant  Editor  Junior  Annual,  1915-1916;  College 
reporter,  1914-1915;  Honorable  mention  for  scholarship,  1914-1915; 
Secretary  Student  Body,  1916-1917;  Assistant  Manager  Co-ed  Barome- 
ter,  1915-1916;   Society  Editor  Barometer,   1916-1917. 

Florence  Berchtold — Advisory  Board,  1915-1916;  Class  Secretary.  1916- 
1917  ;  Mask  and  Daggar. 

Mildred  Crout — Vice-president  Home  Economics  Club,  1915-1916:  Junior 
Representative,    Executive   Board   Women's    League,    1916-1917. 

Faith  Hanthorn — Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cal)inet,  1916-1917;  Barometer  Reporter, 
Women's  Athletic  Association;  Barometer  Staff,    1917. 

Eleanor  Hall — Madrigal. 


Prominent  Memhkrs  373 

Lynette  Kerr — Madrigal. 

Everette  Kingsley — Carnival  Queen  attendant,  1916. 

Hazel  Seeley — President  College  Orchestra,  1916. 

Grace  Woodworth — Madrigal;  President  Sophomore  Class,  1914-1915; 
President  Woman's  Athletic  Association,  1916-1917;  Honorable  Men- 
tion, Scholarship,  1914-1915. 

Gladys  Woodworth — Junior  Play  Cast,  1916. 

Psi  C'/i(j/>f(-r,  Unhu-rsity  of  Oklahoma,  \oniiaii.  Oklahiniia 

Ruth  Snell — (ilee  Club;   Philogean  ;   Knchilados. 

Dorys  Hollenbeck — Theta  Sigma  Phi;  Editor  of  the  University  Magazine; 
Secretary  Grub  Street  Club ;  Philogean. 

Lucy  Clark — Woman's  Council,  1915-1916. 

Minnaletha  Jones — University  Operatic  Quartet  ;  Leading  part  in  // 
Trovatore. 

Gladys  Hollenbeck — President  ^^'oman's  Athletic  Club;  Winner  of  Univer- 
sity Beauty  Contest. 

Jessie  Stiles — Secretary  Senior  Law  Class,  1916. 

Carrie  \\'ill  Colfman — Harmony  Medal,  1915;  President  Eurodelphian. 
1915;  Woman's  Council,  1916-1917;  Vice-president  V.  W.  C.  A.,  1916- 
1917. 

Omega  Chapter,  Washington  State  College,  Pullman,  Washington 

Jennie    McCormick — Y.    W.    C.    A.    Vice-president,     1915;     Gamma    Tau 

(Woman's    Honorary    fraternity),    1915;    Woman's    League    Council; 

Woman's  Athletic  Association  honor,  1914. 
Irene  VzXmQX— Chinook  staff,  1915;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1916;  Board  of 

Control  of  W.  A.  A.,  1916;  Woman's  League  Council.  1916;  President 

Panhellenic,  1916. 
Hellen  Holroyd— Y.  W.  C.  A.  Cabinet,  1916. 

Dorothy  Alvord — Polyhemian  Sextette.  1914;  Double  Quartette.   1916. 
Beulah  Kelley — College  Quintette;   College  Orchestra. 
Elizabeth   Henry,    1919 — Woman's  Athletic  Association   Board  of   Control, 

1916;  Woman's  Athletic  Association  honor.  1915;  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Reporter 

to  Evergreen. 


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CHAPTER  XXVII 

THE  CONTRIBUTION  OF  ALPHA  CHI  OMEGA  TO 
AMERICAN  LIFE 

The  history  of  a  fraternity  during  the  jiast  thirty  years  is  a  cross  section 
of  the  American  development  of  the  education  of  women.  When  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  was  founded,  the  education  of  girls  had  become  important ;  but  the 
experimental  stage  was  not  yet  passed.  "One  of  the  most  interesting  inquiries 
that  has  arisen,"  writes  the  American  Commission  of  Education  in  1884. 
"  *  *  is  that  of  the  effect  of  college  education  upon  their  health !" 
Bryn  Mawr  College  was  but  founded  in  1885;  Harvard  had  issued  one  certi- 
ficate of  final  examination  to  a  woman;  and  the  University  of  Illinois  was 
just  changing  its  name  from  the  Illinois  Industrial  University.  One  of  the 
degrees  conferred  upon  women  was  M.P.L..  Mistress  of  Polite  Literature. 
At  the  present  time  there  are  six  hundred  colleges  in  the  United  States,  sixty 
per  cent  of  which  are  coeducational.  Women  have  won  so  many  Phi  Beta 
Kappa  keys  in  competition  with  men  students  that  the  administration  of  the 
Fraternity  is  alarmed  lest  it  become  a  woman's  order.  The  higher  education 
of  women  is  now  of  equal  imptirtance  and  (]uality  with  the  higher  education 
of  men. 

The  college  lias  become,  in  the  meanwhile,  a  force  in  the  artistic  develop- 
ment of  the  nation.  In  1916  America  is  no  longer  the  most  public  schooled 
and  the  least  cultivated  country  in  the  world.  Our  musicians,  both  composers 
and  interpreters,  are  now  to  be  reckoned  with  in  the  art  of  music.  The  same 
is  true  in  painting,  in  the  writing  of  history,  philosophy,  science,  drama, 
poetry,  and  the  short  story.  Sculpture  has  made  remarkal)le  progress  during 
the  past  decade.  And  the  life  intellectual  has  been  far  more  nearlv  approached 
by  the  nation  during  the  life  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 

At  the  conclusion  of  a  book  of  this  kind  it  is  only  logical  to  utter  the 
query,  "What  of  it?"  It  impresses  the  writer  that  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  as  a 
part  of  the  great  fraternity  movement,  has  had  a  real  share  in  the  educational 
and  artistic  progress  of  the  country.  About  500,000  students  have  become 
members  of  fraternities,  including  leaders  in  every  art  and  in  everv  profession. 
More  than  3,000  chapters  have  been  established.  About  $14,000,000  worth 
of  property  in  real  estate  is  held  by  these  organizations.  Their  total  wealth 
is  probably  $20,000,000.  Through  their  discipline  of  these  500,000  influen- 
tial persons  in  matters  of  intellectual,  moral,  and  social  standards,  the  frater- 
nities have  contributed,  beyond  words,  to  the  cultivation  and  charm  of  the 
educated  class.  In  the  opinion  of  many  thoughtful  people  the  fraternity 
doubles  the  value  of  a  college  course  to  the  student  because  of  this  discipline. 
The  women's  fraternities  are  working  on  a  system  of  scholarships  which  will 
be  equivalent  to  an  educational  endowment  of  $14,000,000.  Two  great  state 
universities,  Wisconsin  and  Kansas,  have  extension  courses  in  their  Fine  Arts 
Colleges  as  well  as  in  their  Liberal  .\rts  and  Science  Departments.  Arthur 
Nevin,  of  the  latter  institution,  is  professor  (^f  music,   lecturer,   and  choral 


376  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

director  to  as  many  communities  as  he  can  reach  in  his  week's  work.  The 
same  artistic  education  is  giYen  to  the  citizens  of  Wisconsin.  And  the  deYelop- 
ment  of  Fine  Arts  Schools  in  the  universities  is,  artistically  speaking,  one  of 
the  most  hopeful  of  the  characteristics  of  the  period  of  our  study. 

A  perusal  of  this  volume  shows,  it  seems,  that  Alpha  Chi  Omega  has 
made,  in  the  lives  of  her  own  membership  and  through  the  influence  of  their 
practice,  a  concrete,  tangible  contribution  to  the  aesthetic  culture  of  the 
nation.  From  a  person  not  a  member  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  a  comment  was 
made  (to  another  person  not  an  Alpha  Chi  Omega)  which  aptly  phrases  this 
same  opinion.  "The  one  thing  that  has  impressed  me  about  Alpha  Chi 
Omega,"  runs  the  unknown  commentator,  "is  that  the  common  interest  in 
music  makes  for  *  *  a  unity  of  feeling  that  other  organizations 
seem  to  lack.  I  have  noticed  this  at  my  own  universitv,  and  have  been  inter- 
ested in  seeing  that  the  musical  talent  in  Alpha  Chi  Omega  is  made  a  force 
in  the  community.  Their  singers  give  up  time  to  church  work,  and  alwavs 
seem  willing  to  help  in  any  place  at  any  time.  When  their  members  go  out 
of  college  they  invariably  become  connected  with  those  organizations  which 
make  for  a  better  community." 

This  unifying  force  is  perceived  clearly  bv  the  undergraduates  themselves, 
and,  it  goes  without  saying,  by  the  alumnae.  It  is  the  enthusiasm  for  art  and 
something  of  an  understanding  of  its  place  in  life  which  the  founders  hoped 
to  advance  and  which  the  traditions  of  the  Fraternity  have  perpetuated.  It 
is  a  fragrance  left  by  the  eight  college  generations  of  Alpha  Chis.  And  it  is 
a  phase  of  the  contribution  of  the  Fraternity  to  the  nation  that  Alpha  Chi 
Omega  has  assisted,  in  some  degree,  in  nullifying  Matthew  Arnold's  state- 
ment, of  the  eighties,  that  in  the  United  States  "the  born  lover  of  ideas  and  of 
light  could  not  but  feel  that  the  sky  over  his  head  is  of  brass  and  iron." 

The  unifying  force  of  their  ideals  has  partly  eliminated,  in  the  members 
of  Alpha  Chi  Omega,  that  disruptive  element  which  has  seemed  to  cling  to 
things  Grecian.  They  have  positive  tendency  toward  cooperation  and  har- 
mony which  has  made  the  Fraternity,  generally,  desire  peace  and  union  among 
contemporary  fraternities.  This  tendency  has  made  it  inevitable  that  Alpha 
Chi  Omega  should  be  cooperative,  in  Panhellenic  relations,  rather  than  com- 
bative ;  courteous  rather  than  malicious ;  an  arbitrator  rather  than  a  foe. 

Embedded  in  the  same  ore  with  the  unifying  element  which  has  charac- 
terized our  sisterhood  is  absolute  fairness  in  Panhellenic  relations.  Fairness 
is  a  costlv  process  in  the  Greek  world,  but  less  so  than  its  reverse.  It  strikes 
the  undergraduate,  when  hard  pressed  in  rushing,  that  "absolute  fairness" 
is  impossible  under  some  circumstances  ;  and  she  thinks  that,  if  it  wans  in 
the  end,  as  she  is  taught,  the  end  is  certainly  slow  in  coming.  That  trait, 
however,  which  Mrs.  Crann  has  called  the  fastidious  fairness  of  the  college 
woman,  stands  firm  when  backed  by  fraternity  tradition. 

The  spirit  of  cooperation  is  revealed  in  the  part  played  in  the  community 
life  of  the  college.  The  endless  array  of  undergraduate  honors  in  college 
activities  is  possible  by  but  one  road — colleagueship.  According  to  national 
ruling,  in  fact,  each  member  must  partake  in  two  college  activities.     Genuine 


Thk  ("oxiRiHu  riox  OF  Ammia  ("ill  ()mk(;a  to  Amkricax  Life     377 

academic  citizenship  is  the  result.  But  the  same  kind  of  a  league  with  the 
faculty  is  insisted  upon  bv  the  laws  of  the  order.  There  is  constant  super- 
vision of  the  class  work  of  each  nifmber  on  the  part  of  the  chapter,  the 
alumnie  adviser,  and  the  national  inspector.  A  certain  amount  of  work  must 
have  been  completed  at  a  certain  grade  l)efore  a  student  may  be  pledged, 
or  initiated.  \Vork  of  a  grade  determined  upon  by  the  Fraternity  must  be  done 
by  all  initiated  members.  The  outcome  of  consistent  supervision,  of  rc^iuire- 
ments,  of  encouragement,  and  of  hel])  for  upperclassmen  is  un(lenial)ly  power- 
ful. In  the  past  five  years,  since  the  fraternity  supervision  of  scholarship 
has  become  more  potent,  nineteen  reports  have  been  received  of  Alpha  Chi 
( )mega  chapters  which  have  ranked  first  in  scholarship  among  the  fraterni- 
ties in  their  institutions.  In  manv  instances  the  relative  ranking  of  chapters 
has  gone  up  by  leaps  and  bounds.  Aljdia  ("hi  (3mega,  indubitably,  has  made 
for  higher  standards  of  scholarship  in  the  college  life  which  she  touches. 

In  the  wdiole  life  of  the  university  she  fosters  unswerving  loyalty  to  the 
institution  ;  enthusiastic  support  of  its  recjuirements  ;  and  a  general  attitude 
of  responsil)ility  towards  its  concerns.  No  more  staunch  and  loval  students 
share  the  duties  toward  Alma  Mater  than  Alpha  Chi  Omegas.  Loyalty  to 
their  God,  to  their  College,  to  their  Fraternity,  she  nurtures  by  her  precepts. 

^\'ith  tliis  last  token,  lovaltv  to  frateriiit\-.  we  sliall  conckule  our  story. 
Of  tlie  jiersonal  meaning  of  fraternity  the  world  liears  most.  'I'he  friendlv 
association  of  personalities  is  the  basis  of  all  fraternity;  the  benefit  from  the 
interaction  of  congenial  'and  diverse  characters  is  its  unforgettable  boon. 
Fraternity,  moreover,  in  the  words  of  Alice  Freeman  Palmer  regarding  college 
life,  "makes  the  world  a  friendly  place."  A  cosmopolitan  sympathv  follow^s 
a  cosmopolitan  friendliness.  Asked.  "What  has  your  fraternity  meant  to  you," 
a  superb  athlete  replied:  "I  think  that  the  biggest  thing  lies  in  the  bond  of 
union  I  feel  with  all  other  Alpha  Chis  over  the  country,  especially  since  I 
have  been  out  of  college.  It  has  helped  more  than  anvthing  to  keep  me  filled 
with  hope  and  enthusia.sm  for  everything  I  have  been  doing."  Another 
replied,  "A  broadening  of  purpose  in  life,  a  democratic  spirit."  A  third 
confesses,  "Alpha  Chi  Omega  is  helping  me  more  and  more  all  the  time  to 
be  a  part  of  the  busy  life  of  the  world.  Naturally.  I  am  inclined  to  live 
largely  within  myself,  and  not  to  make  many  friends.  Being  brought  into 
such  close  touch  Avith  so  many  girls  has  helped  me  wonderfullv  in  bringing 
me  out  of  myself,  and  in  bringing  me  to  see  the  interests  of  others."  A  differ- 
ent point  of  view  which  yet  stresses  the  same  advantage  is  that  of  an  eastern 
college  woman  who  received  her  doctor's  degree  from  a  coeducational  univer- 
sity. Alpha  Chi  Omega  meant,  in  her  own  words,  "a  delightful  chance  to 
have  the  friendship  of  a  type  of  undergraduate  whom  I  could  not  have  known 
in  any  other  way,  and  to  study  the  problems  of  the  college  girls  of  various 
types  of  institutions,  while  it  has  ofi'ered  alwavs  a  splendid  opportunitv  for 
service." 

Personal  friendships  are  not.  bv  anv  means,  the  sole  good  accruing  from 
fraternity  membership.  They  are  not  the  gift  which  leads  most  surely  to  pro- 
fessional or  artistic  advancement.     Thev  are  not  scholarly  distinctions.     But, 


378  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

nevertheless,  memories  of  friends  ami  bonds  of  friendship  are,  to  the  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  members  of  college  fraternities,  the  priceless  asset.  The 
development  of  the  aesthetic  sense,  of  the  power  to  cooperate,  of  the  quality 
of  leadership,  of  intellectuality,  of  idealism,  are  all  involved,  more  or  less, 
in  our  magic  gift  of  fraternity.  But  the  human  friendships,  as  Aristotle 
says,  are  "most  necessary  for  life.  *  *  For  where  is  the  use  of  all 
the  good  things  in  the  world  if  there  be  taken  away  the  doing  of  kindnesses?" 
Fraternity  is  rich  in  weal,  "like  the  pomegranate,  full  of  many  kernels."  It 
is  praised  most,  notwithstanding,  for  its  enduring  friendships.  The  reason 
for  this  is,  I  believe,  that  friendships,  in  reality,  are  the  deep  roots  of  the 
spirit  of  good  will,  harmony,  unity,  and  courage — that  spirit  which  is  the 
recognized  flowering  of  the  fraternity,  and  is  its  greatest  contribution  to  the 
nation. 


APPENDIX 

DIRECTORY  OF  NATIONAL  OFFICERS 

The  National  Officers  are  elected  at  the  closinjr  session  of  each  Grand 
Chapter,  but,  in  order  to  facilitate  matters  for  the  successors,  the  retiring 
officers  continue  their  duties  for  two  months  after  convention.  As  is  stated 
in  the  chapter  on  Government,  during  the  early  years  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega, 
Alpha,  except  for  a  term  of  two  years  for  Beta,  was  Grand  Chapter.  Thus 
Alpha's  officers  were  really  the  general  officers  of  the  Fraternity  until  the 
First  Convention  elected  the  first  National  Officers. 

NATIONAL    OFFICERS 

October,   1891 -February,   1893. 

President.  J  a  Nette  Allen.  Beta. 
Vice-president,  Bertha  Moore,  Alpha. 
Corresponding  Secretary,  Jessie  Fox,  Alpha. 
Recording  Secretary,  Zannie  Tate,   Delta. 
Treasurer,    Mary    Stanford,    Gamma. 

February,    1893-March,    1894. 

President,  Mary  Stanford,  Gamma. 
Vice-president,   Charlotte   Weber,    Delta. 
Corresponding  Secretary,   Laura  Marsh,  Alpha. 
Recording  Secretary,  Eflfa  Simpson,  Beta. 

March,  1894-April,  1896. 

President,  Charlotte  Weber,  Delta. 
Vice-president.    Mayme  Jennings,   Alpha. 
Corresponding  Secretary,   Irene  Clark,  Beta. 
Recording  Secretary,  Virginia  Porter,  Delta. 
Treasurer,  Ella  Strong,  Gamma. 
Editor  of  Lyre,  Mayme  Jennings,  Alpha. 

April,   1896-April,   1897. 

President,    Mary   Janet   Wilson,    Alpha. 
Secretary,  Ida  Steele,  Alpha. 
Treasurer,  Gertrude  Ogden,  Delta. 

April,  1897-December,  1898. 

President,  Mary  J.  Wilson,  Alpha. 
Secretary,   Alta  Allen,   Beta. 
Treasurer,  Gertrude  Ogden,  Delta. 
Editor  of  Lyre,   Mary   \\'ilson.   Alpha. 

December,   1898- December,   1900.  First  Grand  Council. 
Grand  President.   Raeburn  Cowger,  Alpha. 
Grand  Vice-president,   Winifred   Bartholomew,   Theta. 


380  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraiernity 

Grand  Secretarv.  I'^thcl  l^lizabeth  Egleston,  Zeta. 

Grand  Treasurer,  Gertrude  Ogden,  Delta   (1898-1899)  ;  Florence  Har- 
per, Delta   (1899-1900). 
Editor  of  Lyre,  Mary  J.  Wilson,  Alpha. 
December,    1900-November,    1902. 

Grand  President,   Raeburn   Cowger,   Alpha. 
Grand  Vice-president.   .Spicie   Belle    South,   Zeta. 
Grand  Secretary,   Mabel  Harriet  Siller,  Gamma. 
Grand  Treasurer,   Florence  Harper,   Delta. 
Editor   of  Lyre,   Edith   Manchester,   Zeta. 

November,    1902- January,   1905. 

Grand  President,  Kate  Calkins,  Beta. 

Grand  Vice-president,  Virginia  Fiske,  Theta. 

Grand    Secretary,    Alta    Moyer,    Delta    (1902-1903);    Bertha    Sackett, 

Delta    (1903-1905). 
Grand  Treasurer,  Laura  Howe,  Zeta. 
Grand  Historian,  Raeburn  Cowger,  Alpha. 
Editor  of  Lyre,   Edith   Manchester,  Zeta. 

January,   1905-January,   1907.  * 

Grand  President,  Kate  Calkins,  Beta. 

Grand  Vice-president,  Bertha  Sackett.  Delta  (1905-1906)  ;  Mary  Jones 
Tennant,  Alpha   (1906-1907). 

Grand  Secretary,  Virginia  Fiske,  Theta  (1905-1906);  Marcia  Clark, 
Theta    (1906-1907). 

Grand  Treasurer,  Laura  Howe,  Zeta. 

Grand  Historian,  Mabel  Dunn  Madson.  Gamma  (1905);  Mabel  H. 
Siller,  Gamma   (1905-1907). 

Editor  of  Lyre,  Edith  Manchester  (iriffin,  Zeta  (1905-1906)  ;  Elma  Pat- 
ton  Wade,  Alpha  (1906-1907). 

Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tennant,  Alpha. 

January,  1907-January,   1909. 

Grand  President,  Alta  Allen  Loud,  Beta. 

Grand  Vice-president,   Marcia  Clark  Howell,  Theta. 

Grand  Secretary,   Imo   Baker,   Iota    (1907-1908);   Helen  Wright,   Iota 

(1908). 
Grand  Treasurer,  Laura  Howe,  Zeta. 
Grand  Historian,   Mabel  Harriet  Siller,   Gamma. 
Editor  of  Lyre,   Elma   Patton   Wade,   Alpha    (1907);    Florence   Reed 

Haseltine,  Zeta  (1907-1909). 
Inspector,  Mary  Jones  Tennant,  Alpha. 

January,  1909-November,   1910. 

Grand  President,   Alta  Allen   Loud,   Beta. 
Grand  Vice-president,  Fay  Barnaby  Kent,  Delta. 


Appendix:  381 

Graiul   Secretary,   Frank    Ikiscy  Soulc,   Iota, 
(jrand  Treasurer.   Myrta   McKean   Dennis.   Gamma, 
(jrand   Historian,   Mabel   Harriet  Siller,  damma. 
Editor  of  Lyre.   Floreme   Reed   Haseltine,  Zeta. 
Inspector,   Mary  Jones  Tennant.   Alpha. 

November,   IV 10- November,   1912. 

Grand  President,   Evangeline  R.   Bridge,  Zeta. 

Grand  Vice-president.  Fay  Barnaby  Kent,  Delta. 

Grand  Secretary,  Frank  Busey  Soule.  Iota   (1910-1911)  ;  Helen  Hardie, 

(iamma   (1911-1912). 
(irand  Treasurer,  \\'inirre(l  \'aii   ISuskirk  Mount,  Zeta. 
Grand  Historian,  Grace  Flammond  Holmes,   Delta. 
Editor  of  Lyre,  Florence  A.  Armstrong,  Mu. 
Inspector,  Myrta  McKean   Dennis,   (iamma. 

November,   19 12- November,   1915. 

\        National  President,  Alta  Allen  Loud,  Beta. 

National  Vice-president,  Fay  Barnaby  Kent,   Delta. 

National  Secretary,  Birdean  Motter  Ely,  Omicron. 

National  Treasurer,  Lillian  (i.  Zimmerman,   Kappa. 

Editor  of  Lyre.  Florence  A.  Armstrong,  Mu. 

Inspector,   Lois  Smith  Crann,   Mu. 

November,  19 15- November,  1917. 

National  President,  Alta  Allen  Loud,  Beta". 

First  National  Vice-president,  Lillian  G.  Zimmerman,   Kappa. 

Second  National  Vice-president,  Maude  Staiger  Steiner,  Theta. 

National  Secretary,   Mary-F"mma   (iriffith.   Lambda. 

National   Treasurer,  Myra  H.  Jones,  Lambda. 

Editor  of  Lyre.  Florence  A.  Armstrong,  Mu. 

Inspector,  Nella  Ramsdell  Fall,  Beta. 


382  The  History  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega  Fraternity 

CHRONOLOGICAL  HISTORY  OF  ALPHA  CHI  OMEGA 

1885. 

October  15,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  organized;  December  16,  first  picture 
taken  ;  October  19,  Mr.  J.  G.  CampbeH,  Beta  Theta  Pi,  asked  to  help 
formulate  fraternity  constitution  ;  voted  that  a  Greek  Society  be  formed 
similar  to  the  Greek  fraternities  of  the  College  of  Liberal  Arts ;  name 
Alpha  Chi  Omega  adopted ;  colors  chosen :  red  and  bronze  green ; 
December  5,  constitution  adopted. 

1886. 

February  5,  committee  appointed  to  rewrite  constitution  and  form  of 
initiation;  February  26,  Alpha  Chi  Omega  formally  introduced  by 
Dean  Howe;  first  song.  Alpha  Prima,  adopted;  October  15,  first  anni- 
versary banquet ;  April  9,  revised  constitution  adopted. 

1887. 

April  23,  dues  of  new  chapters  decided ;  charter  cost  decided ;  size  of 
charter  membership  decided;  May  15,  charter  form  adopted;  May  24, 
open  motto  chosen,  initiation  ceremonv  adopted  and  added  to,  whistle 
chosen;  May  27,  installation  of  Beta;  June  4,  jubilee  meeting  to 
celebrate  Beta. 

1888. 

February   8,    scholarship    qualifications    for   membership    determined. 

1890. 

November  12,  Gamma  Chapter  installed;  investigation  of  Allegheny 
College  by  Gamma. 

1891. 

January  29,  Delta  Chapter  installed  ;  October  20-23,  First  Conven- 
tion at  Greencastle ;  authorized  publication  of  fraternity  journal ; 
voted  Alpha  Grand  Chapter. 

1893. 

February  22-24,  Second  Convention  at  Albion;  first  songbook  published 
by  Gamma. 

1894. 

February  28-March  3,  Third  Convention  at  Evanston ;  non-musical 
cheer  adopted ;  Beta  voted  Grand  Chapter ;  Alpha  voted  to  publish 
fraternity  journal;  June,  Volume  I,  No.  1,  The  Lyre. 

1895. 

October.  Beta's  new  lodge  occupied;  June  16,  Epsilon  Chapter  estab- 
lished;   December   15,  Zeta  Chapter  established. 

1896. 

April  8-10,  Fourth  National  Convention;  revision  of  cheer;  Alpha 
elected  Grand  Chapter,  continuing  Lyre;  Gamma  authorized  to  pub- 
lish second  edition  of  songbook. 

1897. 

March  30-April  2,  Fifth  Convention,  three  jewels  required  in  badge ; 
Lyre  to  be  published  quarterly,  Volume  II,  No.  1,  The  Lyre. 


Appendix  383 

1898 

June  16,  Eta  Chapter  established  at  Hiuknell  I'liiversity ;  November 
19,  Theta  founded;  Kpsilon  became  temporarily  inactive;  December 
1-3,  Sixth  National  Convention;  Crand  Council  created  as  supreme 
governing  power  ;  Biennial  Conventions  provided  for. 

1899. 

Alpha  Chapter  moves  into  chapter  house,  408  Elm  Street,  Eta  Chapter 
inactive:  December  8,  Iota  founded. 

1900. 

Modification  of  design  of  pledge  pin  to  present  design ;  December  6-9, 
Seventh  National  Convention,  Boston. 

1902. 

October  29-November  1.  Eighth  National  Convention,  Evanston  ;  provi- 
sion made  to  charter  alumnit  chapters;  office  of  Crand  Historian  added 
to  Council ;  Council  ordered  to  convene  annually  ;  new  edition  of  song- 
book  ordered ;  May  24,  First  Interf raternity  Conference ;  November, 
Mabel  H.  Siller  elected  to  represent  Alpha  Chi  Omega  at  next  Inter- 
sorority  Conference ;  annual  examinations  for  active  and  pledged  mem- 
bers. 

1903. 

August  25-28,  first  Grand  Council  meeting;  Alpha  Chi  Omega  enters 
Intersororitv  Conference;   December  18.  Kappa  founded. 

1904. 

November  1,  Second  Grand  Council  meeting.  Meadville ;  Noveml)er 
2-4,  Ninth  National  Convention,  Meadville ;  office  of  Inspector  added 
to  council ;  separation  of  constitution  and  ritual ;  alumnie  chapters  to 
be  represented  in  convention  by  official  delegates ;  adoption  of  identifica- 
tion blanks ;   Eta  charter  recalled. 

1905. 

Third  Grand  Council  meeting;  October  30,  reestal)lislinK'nt  of  Epsilon 
Chapter. 


1906. 


May  23,  Alpha  Alpha  established  at  Chicago;  October  31.  Fourth 
Grand  Council  meeting;  November  1-3.  Tenth  National  Convention, 
Greencastle ;  thirty-three  and  one-third  of  members  may  be  Liberal  or 
Fine  Arts  ;  twelve  liours  per  week  required. 


1907. 


October  31 -November  2,  Fifth  Grand  Council,  Indianapolis;  petitions, 
forms,  and  scholarship  reports  adopted,  each  active  chapter  required 
to  have  alumna  advisers ;  charter  granted  to  Xi ;  fraternity  directory 
authorized;  Florence  Reed  Haseltine  elected  editor;  May  13.  Mu 
founded ;  September  6,  Nu  founded. 
1908. 

September  17.  Omicron  founded;  September  25.  Delta  Delta  founded; 
Lyre  announced  to  be  self-supporting;   November  24-25,  Sixth  Grand 


384  The  Hisiorv  op^  Alpha  Chi  (!)mega  Fraternity 

Council,  Champaign:  first  directory  of  Alplia  Clii  Omega  published; 
November  26-30,  Eleventh  National  Convention.  Champaign;  mem- 
bers may  be  chosen  without  musical  training  to  the  extent  of  half  of 
the  chapter ;  per  capita  tax  required  to  National  Treasurer ;  graded 
examination  question  system  adopted ;  five-year  Lyre  subscription  for 
initiates  substituted  for  clause  requiring  per  cent  of  alumnae  substitutes  ; 
salary  voted  editor;  adoption  convention  credentials;  report  blanks  and 
affiliated  certificates ;  card  index  directories  adopted ;  new  charter,  cus- 
todians for  badge  and  songbook ;  provision  for  compiling  and  editing 
a  History. 
1909. 

May  18,  Epsilon  Iilpsilun,  Detroit,  established;  October  27-29,  Seventh 
Grand  Council ;  voted  to  estal)lish  Alpha  Chi  Omega  fellowship  in  form 
of  studio ;  model  books  for  chapters ;  official  examiner  appointed ;  chief 
alumna  created ;  Pi  Chapter  established. 


1910. 


1911. 


1912. 


1913. 


1914. 


Twenty-fifth  anniversary;  August  29-September  2,  twelfth  National 
Convention,  Detroit;  adoption  of  new  initiation  service;  Hera,  Patron 
Goddess;  limited  legislative  power  granted  to  National  Panhellenic 
Conference ;  charter  granted  Rho ;  committee  appointed  to  establish 
Scholarship  Fund  ;  jewels  in  badge  restricted  to  pearls  and  diamonds  ; 
secret  journal  authorized;  fraternity  flag  adopted;  voting  power  at 
conventions  extended  to  founders  ;  revised  charter  for  both  active  and 
alumnae  charters  adopted. 

June  13.  Sigma  established;  June  16,  Eta  Eta  Chapter  established; 
June  27,  Ninth  Grand  Council  meeting,  New  York;  November, 
Alpha  Chi  Oiiwga  History  published;  Tau  Chapter  installed,  Novem- 
ber 24. 

June  21-24,  Tenth  Council  Meeting;  Heracuni  ordered  published  each 
year;  June  25,  Thirteenth  National  Convention;  Scholarship  Fund 
changed  to  Reserve  Fund ;  post-entrance  examination  on  ritual  and 
ceremonies  provided ;  trophy  provided  for  chapter  showing  greatest 
excellence  in  all  fraternal  relations. 

January  11,  Theta  Theta  established;  March  8,  Iota  Iota  Chapter, 
Seattle,  established  ;  May  9,  Chi  Chapter  installed;  May  14-17.  Eleventh 
Council  meeting,  Decatur;  The  Argolid  authorized;  uniform  filing  sys- 
tem recommended ;  uniform  supplies  adopted ;  each  active  member 
required  to  take  part  in  two  activities ;  alumnae  clubs  recommended  for 
small  cities  or  college  towns. 

February,  Kappa  Kappa  Chapter,  Lincoln,  and  Lambda  Lambda  Chap- 
ter,   Grand    Rapids,    established;    September    15,    Phi    Chapter    estab- 


Appkndix  385 

lished;    September    19.    Mu    Mu   Chapter  established;    October    19-21, 
Twelfth  Council  Mi-etini;;  new  seal  adopted  as  official  seal. 


1915 


June  28.  Thirteenth  Council  Meeting;  June  28-July  2,  Fourteenth 
National  Convention.  Los  Angeles;  new  edition  of  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
History  ordered  and  Florence  A.  Armstrong  appointed  author;  first 
daily  convention  newspaper.  The  Coirecntion  Transcript ;  life  sub- 
scriptions to  The  Lyre  recjuired  of  initiates;  fretjuent  multigraphed 
issues  of  Argoliii  authorized;  nineteen  petitions  reported;  membership 
clause  of  constitution  changed  to  eliminate  numerical  balancing  of 
representatives  from  various  arts ;  traditions  committee  founded ;  pur- 
chase of  history,  songbook,  and  directory  required  of  initiates,  budget 
plan  for  council  expense  adopted ;  sole  official  jeweler  appointed ; 
decided  that  only  initiated  members  wear  coat-of-arms  and  ( ireek  let- 
ters of  Alpha  Chi  Omega. 
1916. 

January  14,  Psi  Chapter  established;  June   19-26,  Fourteenth  Council 
Meeting  at  Syracuse;   Omega  Chapter  installed,   September  20,    1916. 


INDEX 


11 

74 

374 


A 

Pack 
Active   chapters,    geographical    distribution        7>1 

per  capita   tax    147,    190 

supervision    ...141,   14_',    144,   145,   376,   377 
See   also    chapters   named. 

Affiliation  certificates,   adoption   of    182 

Albion  Alumn.e  Club,  establishment    108 

work     109 

Albion   College    (.Mich.),    establishment    ..        70 

fraternities    at    71,  374 

historical    sketch    70,   71 

standards    47 

statistics    72 

Alexander,  William  H.,  on  value  of  musi- 
cal  training    

Allegheny     College     (Pa.),     admission     of 

women  to   

establishment     

fraternities   at    74 

historical    sketch    73,  74 

statistics    72 

Allen,  Anna.     See  Smith,  .Anna  Allen. 

Allinson,  May,  work  of  335,  337 

Alpha  Chapter,  alumnae   reunions 106,   107 

as  Grand  Chapter 134 

charter    members    34 

See  also  Founders  of  A  X  0. 

college   honors    342,   344,    345 

entertainment  of  convention  by    

153,    162,    177 

establishment     34 

group  picture  of   (1885)    10 

historical    sketch     34 

home,  view   showing    34 

house  ownership  plans   269 

prominent  members   

320,  321,  335,  337,   338,   341 

scholarship   record    33 

Alpha  Alpha  Chapter,  charter  members   ..      115 

establishment    107,    114 

historical   sketch    114 

work   109,   114,  209,  291 

Alpha  Chi  Omega,  adoption  of  name   ....        16 

conservatism    4,    33 

early  policies   9,   11,   12 

founding  of    2,    18 

ideals,   significance   of    ..291,   292,   376,   377 

nature   of    11,    12 

organization  of    5,  8,  9,   16.  33 

Panhellenic    relations    376 

present  scope    31,   33 

purposes    12,    18 

wealth     64,   67 

Alpha  C.amma  Delta,  wealth  of   67 

Alpha  Omicron  Pi,  wealth  of   67 

Alpha  Phi,  altruistic  work    294,  295 

alumnce    organization     106 

date  of  founding   2 

early   years    4 

wealth      67 


Page 

.\lpha   Xi    Delia,   altruistic   work    294 

wealth      67 

.\ltruistic  work  of  A  X  i2.    See  Hera  Day, 
and    chapters    named. 

.\lumn;e,  national  officer  for,  establishment 

of    137,  194 

participation    in   national    work    ....111-113 

.\kimn;e  Adviser,  authorization  for   182 

duties    141 

establishment    112,    138,  208 

importance      138 

.\lumn.-e   Association,   scope  and   plans    .  .  . 

108,    109,  113 

work   of    109 

.'\lumna;   by-laws,    publication   of    200 

.Mumnse  chapters,   establishment 107,  108 

geographical  distribution,  map  show- 
ing       32 

requirements     108,  126 

See  also   alumn.-c   chapters  named. 

Alumns   clubs,    establishment    108,  213 

geographical  distribution,  map  show- 
ing       32 

list      126 

requirements    108,  126 

value      126 

See  also   alumnae  clubs   named. 

Alumnx   letter,    authorization   for    182 

value     110 

Alumnx  notes,  collection  of    213 

purpose    and   use    147 

value      Ill 

Alumnx    organization,    development    

106,    107,    108,  199 

factors    affecting    109-112 

needs    107,  195 

value      106 

See  also  Alumnx  Association;  and 
alumnx  chapters  and  clubs 
named. 

Argolid,  scope  and  value    110,  200,  240 

selection  and  meaning  of  term   240 

Armstrong,   Florence   A.,   photograph    ....  233 

term   of   service    152 

work  of 112,  195,  229,  232,  245,  335 

.\rmstrong,  Louise  V'an  Vorhees,   work  of  334 

Asbury  University.     See  De  Pauw  Univer- 
sity. 

.\tlanta  Alumnx   Club,   establishment    ....  103 

work      109 

.'\us  der  Ohe,  .Xdele,  letter  from    317 

B 

P>adge,   description    215,    216,  217 

figures    showing    218 

Grecian    influence   on    278 

manufacture  and  sale   

147,  164,   184.   194,    195.  216 

symbolism     279.  281 


Page 
Baird,    \\'illiam,    on    nature   of   Alpha    Chi 

Omega     11 

Baker    University     (Kan.),     establishment       91 

fraternities  at 91,  374 

historical    sketch     91 

statistics  '  72 

Beach,  Mrs.  H.  H.  A.,  biographical  sketch     316 

work    316,    335 

Bergey,   Ethel    S.,   biographical   sketch    333,   334 

photograph     333 

Beta  Chapter,  altruistic  work    35 

alumnas   reunions    106 

charter    members    19,    34 

college    honors    34S 

establishment    18,   20-22,   34 

entertainment  of  convention  by    ..155,   164 

group  pictures  of    23,   24 

historical   sketch    34,   35 

lodge  of,  value  of  64,  259 

view    showing    35 

prominent    members     

321,  322,  334,  335,   338,  341 

Beta  Beta  Chapter,  charter  members    ....      115 

establishment     107,     115 

work    115,    116 

Boicourt,   Edna,   work  of    233 

photograph      235 

Boulder  Alumnx  Club,  establishment   ....      108 
Bowen,   Margaret   Barber,   photograph    .  .  .      334 

work    334 

Bowman,  Myrtle  Hatswell,  work  of 321 

Boyce,   Inez,   work  of   337 

Brenau  College   (Ga.),  establishment   ....        97 

fraternities   at    97,    374 

historical   sketch    97,   98 

Panhellenic  association  at   97,  98 

statistics      72 

Brocklebank,    Blanche,    work    242,   243,   325 

photograph      32S 

Budget,  active  chapter,  form  for    145,   146 

Buffum,   Ruth,   work   of    229 

Burkhoff,   Margaret  Grafius,  work  of    ....      233 
Burnett,  Olive.     See  Clark,  Olive  Burnett. 

Byrd,   Winifred,  photograph    326 

work      326 


Calendars,    fraternity,    publishing    of    .... 

200,    214,    249,    250 

California,     University     of,     admission     of 

women  to   1 

establishment     92 

fraternities   at    93,    374 

historical    sketch    92-94 

Panhellenic    association    93 

statistics 72 

Campbell,   James  G.,   work  of    5,    18 

Chalfin,    Mabel,    work    of    334 

Chapter-house   committee,    appointment   of     213 

Chapter-house  life,  value   29 

Chapter-house    ownership,    advantages     ..66,   67 

growth  of   66,  67,   195.  200,  259 

loans    for    214 


Page 
plans   for    260,   267,   269 

Chapters.      See   Active    chapters;    Alumnae 
chapters. 

Charters,    description    252,   253 

figures  showing    254,   255 

Chase,    Louise,    photograph    323 

work    323 

Chase,    Russell    MacMurphy,    work   of    327,    328 

Cheer  of  fraternity    222 

Chi  Chapter,  charter  members    60 

college   honors    372,   373 

customs     60 

establishment    27 ,   58 

home,   views   showing    59 

prominent    members    332 

scholarship   record    33 

Chi   Omega,   altruistic   work    294 

alumnae  organization    106 

wealth     67 

Childe,  Nellie  Gamble,  biographical  sketch       14 
photograph     6 

Children  of  A  X  fi,  photographs   ..118,   121,  130 

Chronology   of   fraternity    382-385 

Clark,  Burnett  Olive,  biographical  sketch  12,  13 

on   selection  of  colors   220 

photograph     6 

Cleveland     Alumnx     Club,     charter     mem- 
bers            127 

establishment     126 

work 109,    127 

Coat-of-arms,    adoption    217 

authorization   for    209 

description    217,   219,  220 

figure    showing    219 

restrictions   regarding   use    195 

Coeducation  at  western  colleges  27 

development   1,  2 

extent    of    375 

relation  of  fraternity  system  to    2,  3 

Colby,   Martha   Reynolds,   work  of    322 

College  activities,    representation   in,   legis- 
lation  regarding    213 

College  Fraternity  Reference  Bureau,  pur- 
pose  of    309 

Colleges,    western,    as    field    for    fraternity 

extension    27,    28 

coeducation    at    27 

development    2,   27 

dormitory   equipment  at,  lack  of    ...  .        29 
preparatory  work    2 

Colorado,  University  of,  establishment   ...        87 

fraternities    87,   374 

historical    sketch    87 

Panhellenic  association    87,   88 

statistics   of    72 

Colors  of  fraternity,  adoption  of    16,  220 

Commissioner  of  Education,   on   education 

of    women    1 

Committee   work,   participation    of   alumnae 

in    Ill,    112 

Committees,  standing,  development  of,   111,   112 

Conservatories,     extension     in,     legislation 

regarding    156,    164 


Page 

Constitution,   early,   writing   of    5 

revised,  adoption  of   187,   188 

revision    of     -"7 

Convention   credentials,   adoption    18- 

Convention    Transcript,    publishing    194 

scope     -48 

staff     248 

Convention,   national,   as   governing   power 

of   fraternity    134 

constituents     134 

list    205,   206 

powers     135 

time  of  holding    164 

value     153 

voting   members    134 

Conventions,  National: 

1st,  attendance    155 

business   153,   154 

officers    elected    153 

social    features    155 

2nd,   attendance    156 

business    155,   156 

officers   elected    155 

social    features    156 

3d,    attendance    157 

business     157 

group  pliotograph   158 

officers    elected    156,    157 

social    features    157 

4th.    attendance     162 

business 157,   160 

group    photograph     161 

officers    elected    160 

social    features    162 

5th,    attendance     164 

business   162,   164 

group    photograph     163 

officers    elected    162 

social    features    164 

6th,   attendance    166,    168 

business   164.   166 

group    photograph    165 

officers    elected    166 

social  features   168 

7th,    attendance     169 

business     168 

group  photograph    170 

social    features    171 

Sth,  attendance    172 

business    171.   172 

group  photograph    173 

officers   elected    171 

social    features    174 

9th,    attendance     175 

business    174.   175 

group  photograph    176 

officers    elected    173 

social   features    175.    177 

lOfh,  attendance   179 

business   177.   1 79 

officers   elected    177 

group  photograph   178 

social    features    179 


Pace 

nth,   attendance    182,    183 

business    180,   182 

group    photograph     181 

officers   elected    180 

social  features   183,   184 

I2th,   attendance    186,    187 

business     184 

group  photograph    185 

social    features    187 

13th,  attendance   191,   192,   194 

business     187-191 

group    photograph     189 

officers   elected    190 

social    features    190 

14tb,   attendance    201-205 

business    194,    19S 

group    photograph    196 

officers   elected    195 

social  features 205 

See   also   Provinces. 

Cooke,  Annie   May.  photograph    315 

work    326 

Council  Meetings,  attendance 207-213,  215 

business     207-215 

social  features   207-210 

Council  Trophy,  establishment  of   190 

Cowger,    Raeburn.      See   Obenchain.    Rae- 

burn  Cowger. 
Crann.    Lois    Smith,    as    N.    P.    C.    repre- 
sentative     198,    199,    308 

on  accomplishments  of  N.  P.  C.   ..308,  309 

photograph      193 

term    of   service    152 

Cunningham.    Bertha    Peniston,    biographi- 
cal  sketch    13,    14 

photograph      6 

Currier.   Olge   Bradenburg,   work  of    335 

Cutter,  Olive,  calendar  designed  by    250 

work   of    326 

D 

De  Pauw  University   (Ind.).   admission  of 

women   to    68,   69 

establishment     68 

fraternities   at    69,   374 

liistorical    sketch    68-70 

Panhellcnic  Association   at    69,  70 

statistics   of    72 

women's   fraternities   founded  at    ...  .  2 

Decatur  Alumn.-c  Club,  establishment    ....      108 

Delta  Chapter,  alumnx   reunions    106,   107 

charter  members  of,   photograph    ....        25 

college   honors    346,  347,  348 

entertainment    of   convention    ....157,    174 

establishment    26,    36 

fraternity  hall   of,  view   showing    ....        37 

historical    sketch    36,    37 

prominent  members  323,   334,  338.   339,  341 

Delta  Delta  Chapter,  charter  members   ..      117 

entertainment  of  convention  by 194 

establishment    107,  117 

historical   sketch    117,    119 

work    109,   117.    119 


Page 

Delta   Delta   Delta,   altruistic   work    294 

alumii;c   organization    106 

wealth      67 

Delta  Gamma,   alumn;e   organization    106 

date  of   founding    2 

early    policies     4 

scholarship    fund     66 

wealth      67 

Deniston,       Bertha.         See      Cunningham, 
Bertha    Deniston. 

Dennis,      Myrta      McKean,      as      business 

manager  of  Lyre    229 

committee  work  of    241,  242 

photograph     193 

term  of  service   151 

Denver  Alumnae  Club,  charter  members  132,  133 

establishment    108,  132 

Des   Moines   Alumnie    Club,    charter   mem- 
bers of 127,  128 

establishment    108,  127 

work  of   109,  128 

Directory,   publishing    209,  249 

requirements  regarding  purchase   ....  195 

value      110 

District  of  Columbia  ^Mumnx  Club,  estab- 
lishment      108,  131 

work    109 

Drake,    Kate   Calkins,    on   early   committee 

work    Ill 

term  of  service   151 

Du  Bois,  Amy.     See  Rieth,  Amy  Du  Bois. 

Dunkle,   Estelle,  alumnae  work   of 108 

Dunn,  Mabel,  work  of    241 

E 

Eastern    Oklahoma    Alumna;    Club,    estab- 
lishment     108,  127 

work    109 

Eklekta  prize,   awards  of    231,  232 

Ely,    Birdean    Motter,    design    of    seal    by  214 

term    of    service    152 

Epsilon  Chapter,  charter  members   37 

college   honors    348-35 1 

entertainment  of  convention  by    194 

establishment     37 

historical  sketch   37,  38 

home,  view  showing    38 

prominent  members   325,   334,  335 

scholarship   record    33 

Epsilon  Epsilon  Chapter,  charter  members  120 

entertainment  of  convention  by    184 

establishment    107,  120 

work    109,  120 

Eta  Chapter,  charter  members    39 

charter    withdrawn     39 

establishment     39 

Eta  Eta  Chapter,  charter  members    122 

entertainment  of  convention  by 187 

establishment    107,  122 

work    109,  122 

Examinations,     fraternity,     early     list     of 

questions     148 

legislation  regarding    171,    182,  190 


Page 

purpose  and  scope    147,   148,   149 

requirements      149 

value      149 

Expulsion,   legislation   regarding    155,    180 

Extension,  convention  discussion   

153,    154,    156,    157,    160 

early  plans    21,   22 

in     Mississippi    Valley,    map    showing       30 
into   state   institutions,    significance   of 

27-30,    277 

legislation  regarding  156,  164,  172,  184,  194 

methods    of    150 

Extension   Board,   value   of    199 

Extension    policy,    adequate,    requirements 

for    21 

discussion  of    150 


Fall,    Nella    Ramsdell,   committee    work   of 

112,    184,   188,  335 

photograph      138 

Fenn,  Jean  Whitcomb,  work  of   334 

Flag,  fraternity,  adoption  of   184 

description   of    222 

of   women's   fraternities,    figure    show- 

ing     223 

Flannagan,    Agnes    G.,    photograph    324 

work    322 

Fleming,  Gertrude  Ogden,  term  of  service  152 

Flower  of  fraternity    220 

Foulds,   Leigh  Stafford,  in  Greek  pageant  280 

Founders'  Day,  observance  of   225,  279 

Founders  of  A  X  S2,  named   7,   18 

photograph     6 

See  also  founders  named. 

Fraternities,    contribution    of    375 

men's,  early  purposes    3 

origin     3 

relation  to  coeducation    3 

wealth     375 

women's.  See  Women's  fraternities; 
and    fraternities    named. 

Freeman,  Alice,  educational  work 2 

Funds  of  A  X  fi  64 

See  also  Lyre  Reserve  Fund;  National 
Reserve  Fund;  Scholarship 
Fund. 

G 

Galesburg  Alumnae  Club,  establishment   . .  108 

work    109 

Gamble,      Nellie.        See      Childe,      Nellie 
Gamble. 

Gamma  Chapter,  charter  members   36 

photograph      25 

college   honors    345,  346 

entertainment    of    convention    by    156,  171 

establishment     18,  22,   36 

historical  sketch    36 

prominent  members   322,  338,  341 

Gamma  Gamma  Chapter,  charter  members  116 

establishment    107,  116 

work    109,   116,  214 


Gamma     Phi     Beta,     alumnx     organization 

date  of  founding    

early    years    

scholarship    fund    

wealth     

"General"  fraternity,  meaning  of   

Gibson,    Lucile    Morgan,    committee    work 

photograph     

Government   of  Alpha  Chi   Omega,   stages 


Page 
106 

2 

A 
66 
67 

3 

242 
134 


Sec 


also       Conventions;       National 
Council, 
(iraff,   Gladys   I-ivingston,    work    23i 

photograph    

Grand  Chapter,  duties  and  powers    

Sec  also  Convention,  National. 
Grand  Council,  establishment    134 

ex])enses,    legislation    regarding    ..168 

meetings.      See    Council    Meetings. 

Sec    also    National    Council. 
Greek  culture,  influence  of,  on  .\  X  Q   .... 

Greek    divinities,    attributes   of    28 

Greek  myths  influencing  A  X  Q 28 

•  ireek    pageant    (Convention    1915),    scene 

from,  view  of    

Green,     \"irginia     Fiske,    committee     work 
of     112,     184,     188, 

on  selection  of  patron  goddess   

photographs    143. 

term  of  service   

Greencastle  Alumn.T  Club,  establishment 
Greensburg  .\lumn:c  Club,  establishment 
Griflin,   Kdith  Manchester,   photograph    .  .  . 

term  of  service   

work  of    227 

Griflith,    Mary    Kniiiia,    photograph    

work    112.    149, 

Grooms,     Bessie.       Sec     Keenan,     Bessie 
Grooms. 


,  335 

..235 

134 

,  164 
182 


:76 


280 

335 
292 
167 
152 
108 
108 
229 
152 
252 
136 
233 


H 

Haley,     Josephine     Freeman,     biographical 

sketch    326 

Harper,    Florence    E.,    photograph 169 

term  of  service   152 

Harris,    Nell    E.,    as   business    manager    of 

F^yre     233 

photograph      234 

Hayne,    Bertha    Sackett,    term    of    service  152 

Ilazeltine,    Florence    Reed,    as    editor    of 

Lyre    209,   227,  229 

committee  work  of   224,  249 

photograph      230 

term    of    service    152 

Hera   as   patron    goddess,   adoption    of    184,  292 

attributes  of    282,   287,  288 

head    of    283 

Hera     Day,     observance     39,     40,     42,     45,  49, 

55,   116,    122,   129,  279,  292 

spirit,   growth   of    293 

Iferaea,   Greek   festival   of    279 

Heraeum,  Mount  Olympus,  view  of    289 


Hcraeum,     authorization      for     publishing 

forerunner    of    

scope  and  value 110, 

selection  and  meaning  of  name    

Ilier,    Florence,   biographical   sketch    

photograph      

Hinman,   Elizabeth   Eggleston,   photograph 

work    

History  of  fraternity,  authorization  for  .  . 
182,    195,   214, 

editorial   board    

place    of    writing    

requirements    regarding    purchase    195, 

value    110, 

Honor   pin,   adoption    

awards    

description    

figure    showing     

purpose     

Honorary    members,    biographical    sketches 

legislation     regarding     

Sec  also  honorary  members  named. 
Hopekirk,  Helen,  biographical  sketch  .... 
House      ownership.        See      Chapter-house 

ownership. 
Howe,    James    Hamilton,    on    organization 

of    A    X    n    

on   musical   traditions   of   A    X   fJ   8,   9, 

photograph      

work     of     

Howe,  Laura  A.,  as  business  manager  of 
Lyre     

committee  work   252, 

jhotograph      

term    of    service     

Howell,  Marcia  Clarke,  term  of  service 
Hull,  Juvia  O.,  biographical  sketch 

photograph     


HIinois,      University      of,      admission      of 
women    to     

establishment     

fraternities    at     82, 

historical   sketch    

Panhellenic    association     

statistics      

Inspector,    establishment    of    office    ....137, 
Interfraternity     Conference,     organization 
of     

representation    at     197, 

Intersorority     Conference,     representation 
in    172, 

See    also    National    Panhellenic    Con- 
gress. 
Iota  Chapter,   altruistic   work    

alumn.c    organization     

charter   members    

college    honors    

entertainment   of   convention   by    .... 

establishment     27,    30, 


Page 
212 

168 
,  240 
240 
328 
324 
336 
335 

,  244 
246 
246 
214 
245 
184 
217 
217 
219 
217 
311- 
319 
166 


8,  9 

290, 

291 

7 

5,  18 


227 
253 
180 
152 
152 
32i 
324 


374 
82 
82 
72 

174 

304 
213 

207 


42 
111 

41 
353 
180 

41 


Page 

historical    sketch    41,   42 

home    of,    views    showing     41,  42 

loving-cup    award    by     225 

newspaper  published  by    110 

prominent    members     227,     3.^5,  341 

Iota   Iota   Chapter,  charter   members    ....  123 

establishment     107,  123 

work    109,    123,  124 

Iowa,  University  of,  establishment 1 ,   96 

fraternities    at     96,  374 

historical    sketch    96 

statistics    72 

J 

Jacobi,    Then    White,    biographical    sketch  323 
James    Millikin    University,    establishment 

of     98 

fraternities    at     98,  374 

historical    sketch     98,    99,  100 

Panhellenic   association    98,  99 

statistics      72 

Jennings,  Mayme,  as  Lyi-c  editor 226 

Jones,    Mary.     Sec  Tennant,   ^lary   Jones. 

K 

Kaiser,       Blanche       Crafts,       biographical 

sketch    32S,  326 

Kansas,  University  of,  establishment    ....1,  100 

extension  courses   at    375 

fraternities    at     374 

historical     sketch      100,  101 

statistics      72 

Kappa   Alpha   Theta,   altruistic    work    ....  294 

alumnre  organization    106 

date    of    founding    2 

early     chapters      4 

magazine     4 

scholarship    fund    66 

wealth      67 

Kappa  Chapter,   altruistic  work    45 

alumnae    organization     Ill 

calendar  published  by   250 

college    honors     353-356 

entertainment   of   convention    by    ....  187 

establishment     27,    30,  43 

historical     sketch      43 

home,    description    of    265 

details  regarding  purcliase  .  .  .  .264,  26S 

value    64,  259 

views  showing 43,  265,  268 

prominent    members     327,  337 

trophies  won,  view  of   44 

Kappa  Kappa  Chapter,   establishment    ....  108 

work    109 

Kappa    Kappa    Gamma,    ahunn.e    organiza- 
tion      106 

date     of    founding     2 

early    policies    4 

scholarship    fund    66 

wealth      67 

Keech,   Mable,   work  of    334 

Keenan,       Bessie       Grooms,       biographical 

sketch      14 


P.^GK 

photograph      6 

Keeper    of   Archives,    appointment    200 

Keeper    of    Supplies,    appointment     200 

Kent,   Fay  Barnaby,  committee  work     112,  184, 

217,    222,    257,  272 

photograph     193 

term    of    service     152 

L 
Lambda   Chapter,   alumn.c   organization    ..      110 

charter    members    45 

college   honors    356-359 

Council    agreement    with    267 

establishment     27,     45 

historical    sketch     45 

home,    description    of     263,    264 

details  regarding  purcliase 263 

value    64,    259 

views  showing 46,  263,  266 

prominent    members     328,    341 

Lambda    Lambda    Chapter,    charter    mem- 
bers            124 

establishment     108,     124 

Lang,    Margaret    Ruthven,    work    of    ..316,   317 

335 
Leonard,   Estelle,   biographical  sketch    ....        15 

photograph      6 

work     220,    252,    335 

Liberal  arts,  study  of,  increased  tendency 

toward    29-31 

Lijipitt,  Lucile,  prize  winning  song  of  ....      292 

"Literary"    fraternity,    meaning   of    3 

Loane,    Lucy    Evelyn,    on    the    Alpha    Chi 

tree     221,     222 

Loud,  Alta  Allen,  committee  work 

65,   112,   149,    190,  217,   224,  258,   335 

convention    address     197-201 

description     of    coat-of-arms    by    217,    219, 

220 

on    extension    policy    150,    151 

on  literary  requirements  of  New  Eng- 
land Conservatory  of  Music    ..        11 

on  musical  traditions  of  A  X  fl 290 

on  value  oi  A  X  Q  History    244 

photograph      Frontispiece 

term     of     service     151 

Lyre,    as    factor    in    alumn,-e    organization      110 

cover  designs    226,   232 

figure    showing    228 

departments    230 

development      226-239 

directories    printed    by    249 

financial    support    147,    164,    172, 

231,    234,    235,    236 
high   standard    of,    recognition   of   200,    230, 

231 

historical     number     244 

legislation     regarding    160,     168,     175,     177, 

182 

life  subscription  plan   195.  235,  236 

loving-cup,    awards    225,  232 

policy     236,    237 

prize  awarded  by    225,  231,  232 


Page 

Reserve   Fund  uf    (>(<,    147,   2,16 

selection    of    name     226 

subscription   list,   scope   of    2i7 

M 

McClure,    Ceiia    E.,    fraternity    symphony 

by     214,    290 

photograpli      231 

Macdowell,    Marian    Xevins,    biographical 

sketch    319,    320 

work    270,  271,  275 

.Macdowell      Memorial      Colony,      financial 

needs     275 

life    at     273 

location     270 

personnel,   restrictions   regarding    ....      257 

scope    and    value     271-273 

studios    of    271 

See   also    Star   Studio. 

McEntyre,    Doris,    photograph    337 

work    280,    337 

McHatton,    Jennie,    as    assistant    editor    of 

Lyre      227 

McLeary,    Anne    Woods,    committee    \vork     242 

photograph     140,     340 

.Magazine,    early    plans    for    154,    157,   166 

See    also    Lyre. 
.Manchester,     Edith.       See     Griffin,     Edith 

Mancliester. 
Martin,    Ida    Shaw,    on    early   problems   of 

women's    fraternities     290 

Meadville  Alumn;c   Club,  charter  members     129 

establishment     129 

Membership   certificates,   adoption    of    ....      171 

description   of    253 

figures  showing 256 

Membership     requirements,    early    8,  9,   II 

legislation   regarding  31,   171,   177,   180,  212 
Michigan,     University     of,     admission     of 

women    to     1 

establishment     80 

fraternities    at     80,    374 

historical    sketch    80,  81 

Panhellenic    association    at    80,    81 

statistics    of     72 

Miller,  Florence  Kail,  on  the  holly  tree  .  .      221 
Millikin   University.      See   James    Millikin 

University. 
Mills,     Katharine     Anderson,     on     chapter- 
house ownership  by  Theta   ....      260 
Milwaukee    .\lumn,-e    Club,    charter    mem- 
bers            128 

establishment     108,    128 

work    109,    129 

Mississippi  Valley,  development  of    27 

extension  in,  map  showing 30 

Morgan,    Kathryn,    as   e-\change    editor    of 

Lyre     233 

photograph     234,     25 1 

Morrison,      Katharine     McReynolds,     bio- 
graphical   sketch    322,   333 

photograjih      331 


Pace 

Motto,  oi>en,  adoption  of   20,    184,  224 

secret,     adoption     of     162,     182,     224 

.Mount,    W'inifreil    Van     JSuskirk,    commit- 
tee   work    of    217 

photograph      193 

.\lu    Chapter,    alumn;e    reunions    107,    225 

charter  members   47 

college    honors     359-363 

establishment     27,    45 

historical   sketch    45,    47 

prominent     members     328,     335,     341 

scholarship    record     33 

.Mu   .Mu  Chapter,  establishment    108,    124 

work     109 

Musical  culture  in   A   .X  9.   276,  277 

influence     of     290,     291 

influence  of  .\  .\  f2  on   290 

Musical    requirements,    legislation    regard- 
ing      31.     171 

Musical  training,  educational  value  of    ..    9,    11 

Mystagogue    system     142 

N 

Nafis,     Mabel     Siller,     biographical     sketch  322 

committee  work  of 149,  222,  249,  252 

photograph      245 

term     of    service     151 

work     244,     249,  335 

National    Convention.       See    Conventions, 

National;  and  Grand  Chapter. 

National    Council,    committee    work    ..111,  112 

constituents     135,  136 

deputies    to     199,  200 

meetings    of     136 

See  also  Council  Meetings. 

officers  of,   duties    137,    138,    144,  145 

list    of    379-381 

terms  of  office   151,  152 

powers    and    duties    136,  151 

See   also    Grand   Council. 
National     Panhellenic     Congress,     accom- 
plishments     308,  309 

conferences     305-310 

fraternities    in,    journal    covers     ....  238 

powers     308 

purpose   and   significance    304,  305 

representation   at    197,  198 

See     also     Intersorority     Conference; 
Panhellenic    Associations. 

National  Treasury,  annual  receipts   64 

disbursements  of   146,  147 

funds    for     145 

I)ayment    of    dues    to    162 

National   \'ocational   Committee,    establish- 
ment  of    195 

value    of     113 

Nebraska,     University     of,     establishment 

of    1,  88 

fraternities   at    90,  374 

historical    sketch     • 88-"0 

Panhellenic    association    at    89,    90 

statistics    of     72 


Page 

Xeedliiini,   Mary  Ma>ters.  work  of   334 

Xc'vin,    Artliur,    work    of    i7S,    376 

Now      I'lnglaiul     Conservatory     of     Music, 

eqiiipincnt    of     78,    79 

establishment    of     78 

fraternities    at     374 

historical    sketch     78,    79 

literary   requirements  of    11,   276 

purposes    of     79 

statistics   of    72 

Xorthcroft,  Jess,  Panh.ellenic  song  by   ...  .      117 
Northwestern      University      (111.),      estab- 
lishment            71 

fraternities   at    7i,    374 

historical    sketch    71,   73 

statistics     of     72 

Nu   Chapter,   charter   members    4S 

establishment    27,  48 

historical     sketch     48 

home    of,    view    showing     47 


O 

Obenchain,   Raeburn   Cowger,   photograph  166 

term    of    service     151 

Oil  City  Alumnre  Club,  establishment    ...  108, 

129 

Oklahoma,     I'niversity     of,     establishment  102 

fraternities    at     374 

historical     sketch     103 

statistics   of    72 

Olmstead,    Gladys   Livingston.      Sec   Graff, 
Gladys   Livingston. 

Olsen,    Alma    Marti,    sketch    of    325 

Omaha    Alunins    Club,    establishment     108,  128 

work      109 

Omega    Chapter,    charter    members     ....  61 

college    honors     373 

establishment    27,  61 

historical    sketch    61 

home,    view    showing    62 

Omicron  Chapter,  alumn.e  organization    ..  Ill 

charter   members    50 

college    honors  - 363,  364 

establishment     27,  50 

historical     sketch     50,  51 

home   of,   view   showing    50 

lot   owned   by,   value   of    64,  259 

prominent   members    330,   337,  341 

scholarship    record     3i 

Oregon     Agricultural     College,     establish- 
ment       101 

fraternities     at     102 

historical    sketch    101,  102 

statistics    of     72 

Oregon    Alumnre    club,     charter    members  130 

establishment     of     129  131 

Organization    and     Laws,    committee    on, 

appointment     of     112 

Osgood,    Mary    Satterfield,    on    installation 

of   Gamma  Chapter    22 


Page 
P 

PanlR-lIunic   a^sociations,    city,    growth    .  .  .      296 

list    296 

representation   of  A   X  il   in    ..296,   297 

work      297-300 

college,    pledging    rules    300,   301 

constitution    and    by-laws    302-304 

See   also    Interfraternity    Conference ; 
Intersorority    Conference ;    Na- 
tional   Panhellenic    Congress. 
Patronesses,    privileges    of,    restrictions    of     166 
Ferine,    Mary,    as    official    examiner    ....      149 

Lyre  work  of   227,   229 

Petition   forms,   adoption    of    208 

Phi    Chapter,    charter    members    58 

college     honors     372 

establishment    27,   58 

home  of,   view   showing    58 

prominent     members     337 

Pi     Beta     Phi,    altruistic    work     294 

alumnre   organization    106 

early    years    4 

scholarship     fund     66 

wealth      67 

Pi    Chapter,   altr.uistic   work    52 

alumns    organization    Ill 

charter    members     51,52 

college    honors 364,     366 

establishment    27,51 

historical     s,ketch     52 

home  of,  view  showing 51 

prominent    members     330,    337,    341 

scholarship    record     33 

Pinney,    Mary,    biographical    sketch    ....      323 
Pittsburgh    Alumnx    Club,    establishment      108 

work    109 

Pledge   pin,    adoption    156,    168 

description     216 

figures     showing     218 

restriction     regarding     216 

Pledging   ceremony,    formulation   of    153 

Porter,   J.   Olive,   work    334 

Portland   Alumnre   Club,    establishment    108,    131 

work     109,     13  i 

Powell,    Maud,   biographical   sketch    312 

photograph     313 

work      335 

Province    government,    adoption     141,     142,     190 

211 

value      199 

Province    presidents,     duties     141 

list     144 

Provinces,  conventions  of   141,   142 

establishment    141,    190 

geographical    distribution    141 

map  showing   139 

Psi    Chapter,    charter    members     60 

college    honors     373 

establishment    of    27,  60 

home    of     61 

view    showing    60 

Pueblo    Alumnae    Club,    establishment    108,    131 
work    109,    132 


Page 
R 

Uced,    Susan,    work    of    335 

Uficlifit,   HiTtlia,  as  (]rtii.ial   f.\ainiii<.M-   ....  149 

Reserve   Fund,   (.'Staljltsliincnt    64,   ().S,  188 

growth     65,      147,  188, 

190,  258 

loans    from     214 

management     65 

I)urposc    ()5,  1 90 

value  of,   in   aluninx-   organization    ...  Ill 
See    also    Lyre    Reserve    Fund. 

Reynolds,        Harriet        F.,        biograiihical 

sketch      322 

Reynolds,    Jessie    Merchant,    biographical 

sketch      323 

Rho    Chapter,    charter   members    53 

college    honors     366-368 

establishment    27,    52,    53 

historical    sketch    53 

home    of,    view    showing     53 

prominent    members 330,  337 

Rieth,   Amy   Du    Bois,   biograi)hical    sketch  14 

photograph 6 

Ritual,   Grecian   influence   in    278,  279 

revision    of    184,  207 

Ritual     and     Equipment     Committee,     ap- 

l)ointment    of    112 

Rive-King,  Julia,  biographical   sketch    ....  313 

initiation     1 7 

Rushing  Rules,   publication   of    200,   212 


St.     Louis    Alumnx     Club,     establishment 

Sayle,    Mary,    work    of    

Schauffler,    R.    H.,    cited     

Scholarship,   high,   chapters   attaining    .... 

legislation   regarding    182,    194, 

maintenance    of    

Scholarship    Committee,    value    of    

Scholarship     Fund,     advantages     

establishment     65,     184, 

maintenance     65,    66,    147,     195, 

purposes     

value,  in  alumn;e   organization    

Scholarship   reports,   adoption   of    

Seal,   official,   adoption   of    214, 

figure    showing     

Secret    journal,    authorization    for    publi- 
cation       

See    also    Argolid,    Heraeum. 

Seiple,    Charlotte   Weber,    term    of   service 

Sigma    Chapter,    charter   members    

college    honors     368, 

establishment     27, 

historical     sketch     

home    of,    view    showing     

prominent    members    330, 

scholarship    record     

Sigma    Kappa,   altruistic    work    

wealth     

Siller,   Mabel   Harriet.     See  Nafis,   Mabel 
Siller. 

Simpson     College     (Iowa),     establishment 


lOS 
337 
271 

33 
213 

33 
113 

66 
195 
257 
257 
111 
208 
299 
224 

211 


53 

369 

53 

54 

54 

341 

33 

294 

67 


86 


Page 

fraternities    at     86,  375 

historical   sketch    86 

I'anlu-llenic     association     at     86,  87 

standards    47 

statistics     of      "2 

Smith,    Anna    Allen,    biographical    sketch  12 

photograph     6 

.Songbook,    authorization    for    156,  172 

development     of      241-243 

early    plans    for     154 

publishing     of     157,  200 

rcriuirements  regarding  purchase    ....  195 

value  of    110 

Songs,  A  X  n,  Greek  influence  on    ....277,  278 

early,    writing    of    1",    21 

Southern        California,        I'niversity       of, 

establishment     75 

fraternities  at    75,  374 

historical    sketch    75-77 

Panhellenic  association    76 

statistics    of     72 

■South wick,  \'era,  alumna;   work  of    108 

Stanford,     Mary,    photograph     155 

t«rm    of    service    151 

Star   Studio,   description    246,  257,   258,  273 

occujiants    272 

vise,    award    of    277 

view    of     274 

.Starr,  (iretchen  O'Donnell,  work 337 

Slarr,      Nell      Brushingham,      biographical 

.sketch     326 

photograph     315 

.Stevenson,    Evangeline    Bridge,   biographi- 
cal    sketch     325 

I)hotograph      188 

.Supplies,   fraternity,   list   of    251,  252 

systematizing   of    212,  251 

Symphony    of    fraternity     212,    214,  290 

Syracuse    University    (X.    Y.),    establish- 
ment       85 

fraternities  at    2,  85,  374 

historical     sketch     85,    86 

Panhellenic    association    at     85 

statistics    of     72 

Szumowska,        .\ntoinette,        biographical 

sketch     314 


Tail    Chapter,    charter   members    

college    honors     370, 

establishment     27, 

historical     sketch     55, 

h.ome   of,    views   showing    55, 

prominent     members     

scholarship    record     

Tennant,    Mary    Jones,    on    installation    of 

Beta     Chapter     

photograph      

term    of    service     

work    of     224,    252, 

Terre     Haute     Alumn.x     Club,     establish- 
ment     108, 

Theta    Chapter,    altruistic    work    40, 


54 
371 
54 
56 
56 
332 
33 


180 
151 
307 

132 
41 


Page 

aliiniiia;   organization    Ill 

charter     members     .19 

college   honors    351-353 

entertainment    of   convention    l)y    ....      184 

establishment     27,   29,  39 

historical     sketch     39,     40 

home   of,    description    262 

figure   showing    261 

value    64,    259 

house   ownership    by,    details    of    plan 

for     260,     262 

prominent     members     2:27,     334,     335,     Z2i7 , 

341 
Theta    Theta    Chapter,    charter    members      123 

establishment     107,     122,     123 

work    109.    123 

Thrower,   Norma   Harrison,   work   of    ....      330 

Traditions    of    A     X    fi     290-294 

significance    of    295 

Traditions     Committee,     establishment     of     195 

Tree,   fraternity,   adoption   of    182,    220 

Trowbridge,    Carrie  Adelaide,   photograph     331 

work     325,     335 

Twin    Cities  Alumnx    Club,  establishment      133 

U 

Upcraft,    Margaret,    work    of     335 

L^psilon    Chapter,    altruistic    work    57 

charter    members     56 

college    honors     373 

establishment      27,  56 

historical    sketch    57 

home    of,    view    showing     57 

prominent    members    332,  341 

Upton,    Vera,    biographical    sketch ....  328,  330 

photograph      324 

W 

Wade,    Elma    Patton,    as    Lyre    editor    208,    227 
photograph     229 

Washington,   University   of,   establishment       94 

fraternities    at     95,    374 

historical     sketch     94,    95 

statistics    of     72 

Washington     State     College,     description 

of     104,     105 

fraternities    at     374 

historical    sketch    104 

Panhellenic    association    of,    constitu- 
tion    and     by-laws     302-304 

pledging  rules    300,   301 

statistics    of     72- 

Whistle  of  fraternity 224 

Wilhite,   Mary  E.,  biographical   sketch    .  .      321 


Page 

Wilson,   Mary  Janet,  as  Lyre  Editor    ....  227 

jihotograpli     21 

term     of     service      151 

Wisconsin,     L'niversity    of,     admission    of 

women    2 

establishment     83 

extension    courses    at    375 

fraternities    at     84,  374 

historical     sketch     S3,  84 

statistics     of      72 

Women,     higher     education     of,     develop- 
ment     1,   2,  375 

Sec    also    Coeducation. 
\\'omen's     fraternities,     in     1885,     general 

condition     5 

institutions  entered  by    3,  4,   5 

number   of   members   of    5 

purposes    of    3,  290 

iclation  of,  to  coeducation   2 

Worthington,   Jennie,   biographical    sketch  322 

X 

Xi    Chapter,    charter   members    49 

establishment    27,  49 

historical     sketch     49,  50 

home,    view    showing    48 

prominent    members     328-330,    341 

Y 

Yaw,     Ellen     Beach,    biographical    sketch 

of     317,  318 

photograph    of    318 

work    of    335 

Z 

Zeisler,     Fanny     Bloomfield,     biographical 

sketch     311,     312 

initiation     20,    21 

photograph     312 

Zeta    Chapter,    entertainment    of    conven- 
tion   by     168 

establishment    11,   39 

historical    sketch    39 

prominent  metnbers  325,  326,  335,  339,  341 
scholarship   given   by    258 

Zeta  Zeta  Chapter,  charter  members    ....      122 

establishment    107,    120 

work    109,    122,    250 

Zimmerman,     Lillian     G.,     alumnx     work     108 

on   value   of   scholarship    fund    66 

photograph     197 

term    of   service    152 


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